In an attempt to make the Philadelphia 76ers roster younger and more dynamic, the franchise selected the athletic guard V.J. Edgecombe with its third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Despite the exciting future that the rookie could have in the NBA, fans must be left wondering how he slots into a lineup alongside Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain.
Undoubtedly, Maxey's sensational career trajectory will cement him as Philadelphia's starting point guard for the foreseeable future; however, selecting his partner will provide head coach Nick Nurse with a dilemma that could determine the fate of the 76ers' campaign.
McCain shone in his rookie year
Before suffering a season-ending lateral meniscus tear, McCain was the Sixers' leading light throughout his rookie campaign. The 21-year-old averaged 15.3 points and scored a career-high 34 points against the high-flying Cleveland Cavaliers.
It was not just a string of brilliant performances that left fans purring about the hidden gem they had drafted; the nature of McCain's minutes on the court consisted of relentless hard work and a courageous attitude that resonated with supporters who were watching their beloved team consistently lose matchups.
In addition, Maxey and McCain's chemistry was electric even though they only featured together for a small portion of the campaign. Nevertheless, a clear defensive issue limited the effectiveness of the duo, which could result in the former Duke knockdown scorer settling for a role off the bench come the start of the season.
V.J. Edgecombe could be a more resilient selection
Even with all of his dangerous offensive qualities, McCain cannot match the versatility and defensive attributes that Edgecombe exhibited throughout his college career. Not only was the 20-year-old a physical presence in the paint, but he showcased an ability to force his opponents into turnovers -- recording 2.1 steals per game during his one year at Baylor.
With the defensive frailties that the 76ers struggled with during the 2024-25 season, Edgecombe would establish a solid foundation for Maxey to excel in a more prominent offensive role alongside Joel Embiid, potentially propelling the franchise into contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Of course, there is an alternate reality where Edgecombe starts in the frontcourt while McCain resumes his place alongside Maxey. However, this would require a bold choice from Nurse to place either Paul George or Kelly Oubre Jr. alongside the rest of the secondary unit on the bench -- with the latter being the popular choice for that role.
Fans of the Philadelphia 76ers will expect this dilemma to be solved when the season finally commences; if not, Nick Nurse could come under severe scrutiny.