It’s hard not to feel for Jared McCain.
A torn meniscus halted a rookie season that saw McCain tear up the NBA with his deadeye perimeter shooting. His tragic campaign-ending injury served as an omen towards what was to come for the Philadelphia 76ers, who would surrender to a tank three months later.
With last season’s drama in the rear view mirror, McCain and the 76ers sought the fresh start the 2025-26 season would bring. However, less than 24 hours before media day, the unthinkable happened.
McCain suffered a torn UCL in his right thumb during a workout on Wednesday, reported Tim Bontemps of ESPN. He and the 76ers are consulting with specialists to determine how to proceed with his treatment. This increases the importance of Philadelphia’s negotiations with Quentin Grimes and catapults V.J. Edgecombe into a larger role as training camp approaches.
The 76ers may want to wrap things up with Grimes
With McCain likely sidelined for the time being, the 76ers are now unimaginably thin at shooting guard. Philadelphia’s two-guard room was forecasted to be one of the strongest aspects of its roster. Grimes was supposed to play a pivotal role in this development, but he and the 76ers have yet to make progress in their contract talks.
Philadelphia lacks an incentive to offer Grimes a lucrative contract since the restricted free agent market has dried up league-wide. This has left Grimes’ camp searching for leverage that seems to be nonexistent. Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Thursday afternoon that Philadelphia’s latest offer to Grimes was a four-year, $39 million contract. However, his camp believes he is worth north of $20 million annually.
Grimes holds an $8.7 million qualifying offer that he has until October 1st to accept or deny, but Tony Jones of The Athletic reported that his camp wants to push that deadline to October 8th. These negotiations appear not to have a resolution in sight. However, in the wake of McCain’s injury, Philadelphia may feel pressure to handle business with Grimes to retain a starting-caliber shooting guard.
V.J. is all that’s left
Many wondered what Edgecombe’s role would be heading into the season and fate has provided an answer. With Grimes unsigned and McCain sidelined, Edgecombe is now projected to be the 76ers’ starting shooting guard.
This unforeseen opportunity could super-charge his development, depending on how much time McCain will miss. Playing alongside the gravity Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George commands will open up the floor in ways incomparable to his Baylor tenure.
With more space to operate, Edgecombe could progress as a slasher while remaining a respectable spot-up threat. His athleticism and defensive playmaking are a perfect complement to Philadelphia’s core. Now, he can prove why at the highest magnitude.
Edgecombe must quickly acclimate to his newfound responsibilities as the 76ers will travel to Abu Dhabi to play their preseason-opener against the New York Knicks on October 2nd at 12 p.m. EST.