The decision to select VJ Edgecombe with the fourth overall pick was quite the easy call at the exact juncture when the Philadelphia 76ers were on the board. However, that was not always the case. Prior to the actual draft, there were varied opinions about which prospect the team should go with — and all of those were reasonable and sensible takes that certainly warranted more than just scant consideration.
Leading the list of prospects floated around the 76ers back then was Ace Bailey. The Rutgers star was widely believed to have the highest ceiling among the non-Cooper Flagg rookies, and it was quite easy to see why. He had a unique mix of standout skill and size, and his stature was ideal for what the team was missing.
But with the regular season nearly over, it has become crystal clear that the 76ers have no reason to feel any kind of trepidation nor doubt with their decision. Edgecombe has been a sensational addition to their program, and he is slated to be a cornerstone for this franchise for the foreseeable future with his high upside.
The 76ers made the correct decision to draft VJ Edgecombe
Edgecombe is a lock for a First-Team All Rookie berth. While he has been bested by the two frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year award in Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel and Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, the Baylor product has nonetheless been a standout prospect right from the get-go.
In his rookie year, Edgecombe has turned in impressive numbers to the tune of 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, and four assists per game while shooting nearly 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc. His defensive activity has been noticeable, and everything about him just screams superstar upside.
Despite playing next to Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George in the starting unit, it did not take too long for Edgecombe to find his voice on the squad. He has become a dangerous igniter on the offensive end, and while it has not always been pretty, he has found multiple ways to impact the game on a positive note.
Heading into the draft, there were concerns, albeit legitimate ones, about Edgecombe’s ability to see the floor as a playmaker and be a threat without the rock. Suffice to say that he has already quelled those doubts with his growth on those fronts.
VJ Edgecombe will be a vital piece for the 76ers moving forward. Him alone has given the franchise more reason to start building for the future, although he is already good enough for the front office to concurrently stay committed to their win-now edict.