With the Philadelphia 76ers still having a big, unfinished business this offseason, the front office seems to have already kicked the tires on possible moves that will help them finally tick off their unchecked box before training camp begins in a few weeks.
That’s right — the 76ers are still stuck in a limbo with Quentin Grimes, but that might not be for long. Rumors say that the front office is already eyeing to trade one or both of Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond with the thinking that flipping their expiring deals would allow them to extend a more palatable offer for Grimes.
Drummond has become expendable and all, but in Oubre’s case, despite his flaws, he is still among the more valuable role players on the roster. Save for his utter lack of reliable presence out in the perimeter, he has been more than serviceable, but now, it seems like the front office had deemed him expendable — and Justin Edwards probably had a lot to do with it.
Entering his sophomore campaign, the expectations for Edwards have gotten loftier than last year, where he simply indulged in surprising everybody with his level of production as an undrafted rookie.
The 76ers are expecting big things from Justin Edwards next season
Edwards, who was one of the more stable rookies in the league last season, will reprise his role next season as one of the team’s few three-and-D forwards. Even if Paul George turns in a cleaner bill of health, Edwards will most certainly soak up a lot of minutes, out of both reason and necessity.
Unlike Oubre, Edwards is a relibale floor-spacer who can give the 76ers some actual breathing room on offense thanks to his spot-up shooting. Even better, he is likewise capable of creating his own shot, although returns from the Summer League were not exactly enthusing.
Hopefully, Edwards can keep on making strides on the defensive end. That was an area in which Oubre improved greatly improved in, and Edwards must do the same if he wishes to imbue some more permanence into his role and footing with the franchise.
The Philadelphia 76ers have a pressing problem at small forward, and Justin Edwards has all the tools he needs to be a perfect complementary player for the squad. Otherwise, the front office will have to cling onto Kelly Oubre, who has been as erratic as he was eccentric.