Justin Edwards and Adem Bona surfaced as hidden gems throughout the Philadelphia 76ers’ chaotic 2024-25 season – giving fans reason to watch a tanking team. One year later, those same fans are questioning whether the tandem should be in the rotation.
Edwards and Bona are off to underwhelming starts to the 2025-26 season after displaying convincing flashes in their first years. The duo had more freedom during the 76ers’ tank, but with Philadelphia close to full health, they have struggled to figure out their respective roles.
Inside Edwards’ slump
Fans and media alike expected Edwards to be a pivotal part of the rotation, but he’s averaging 14.2 fewer minutes per game than last season. His spot-up shooting and point-of-attack defense were supposed to provide the 76ers a boost, but he has seldom displayed those traits through eight games.
Edwards converted on at least two three-pointers in just two games, including Philadelphia’s 132-121 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Edwards is shooting 35% from deep on 2.9 attempts per game – an undesirable volume from someone whose premier skill is off-the-catch marksmanship.
The 76ers have generated spot-up opportunities for Edwards as 85.9% of his made threes were assisted. Edwards has simply been unreliable as a perimeter threat and a lack of shot creation hasn’t helped matters. He isn’t creating adequate space off the dribble nor making defenses pay from beyond, which has left Nick Nurse no choice but to reduce his minutes.
Bona’s adjustment period
Bona positioned himself to be Philadelphia’s main backup center with shades of rim-running and shot-blocking excellence last season. Between his promise and Andre Drummond’s undesirable 2024-25 campaign, Bona took the role this year, but is holding onto it by a slim margin.
Despite starting in all three games Embiid missed, Bona is averaging just 0.2 more minutes per game than Drummond. This is due to Bona’s most notable weakness – rebounding. Opponents have a 31.8% offensive rebound percentage when he plays, which would rank top four in the NBA. Meanwhile, Drummond is averaging 7.6 rebounds per game.
Although Bona is an excellent shot-blocker, his lack of size limits his effectiveness as a center. Nonetheless, having not made a three in his career, Bona’s ability to play power forward would be hindered by his lack of spacing. He must assert himself off the glass and pick his spots defensively to maximize himself as a center.