The Philadelphia 76ers drafted a special talent in VJ Edgecombe, but it instantly creates a playing time problem in the backcourt. Tyrese Maxey is an All-Star and will play 35 per game. Jared McCain looked special in his limited run last season, and Quentin Grimes was outstanding after being acquired via trade. Assuming Grimes re-signs, that is four talented guards who all expect significant minutes. Head coach Nick Nurse has a headache on his hands.
Maxey is an unquestioned starter, and Edgecombe should immediately join him. The third overall pick has All-Star upside. The Sixers shouldn’t waste one second of his development. Put him in the lineup and let him play 30 minutes every night. The rookie needs to adjust his jumper to NBA range and learn the ins and outs of guarding the best players. That is the key to maximizing his potential.
If Maxey and Edgecombe are combining for 65 minutes in the backcourt each night, where does that leave McCain and Grimes? Nurse will use three-guard looks, especially with the team’s lack of depth at the four. It will get the best players on the floor, but the Sixers may have significant problems in those units.
VJ Edgecombe creates lineup issues for the 76ers
Of the franchise's many issues, these are good problems to have. Nurse is deciding between which talented players to give minutes to and how to best navigate his rotations, but he can’t overlook key factors.
Maxey, Edgecombe, and McCain are the future of this franchise. Joel Embiid and Paul George can’t be trusted. The injuries have caught up to the two stars, so the focus has to turn to maximizing their three young guards. To do so, Nurse must give them all significant minutes and figure out if the trio can play together.
Edgecombe excited fans with his play in summer league. He is clearly ready for significant minutes immediately. The Sixers can’t hold him back at the expense of playing Quentin Grimes or trying gimmicky lineups to win games. Yes, they have two stars, but Nurse should treat this like a rebuilding team trying to maximize their young talent.
The problem gets worse if Maxey, Edgecombe, and McCain can’t share the floor. There are significant defensive questions when playing Maxey and McCain together. The 76ers would need to figure out the offensive responsibilities, too. Maxey feels like the primary creator, but who takes the secondary role? It is a positive problem, but one the franchise must answer quickly if they want to return to contention.
The ultimate answer may be a trade where one of the three guards is replaced by a forward to make a more traditional fit. Maximizing each talent will only increase the value Philly gets in return if it comes to that.
The Philadelphia 76ers drafted a real one in VJ Edgecombe. The rookie will be ready for significant minutes immediately, and the franchise has to figure out how to keep everyone happy. Philly’s first-round pick is top-four protected in 2026, so there will be plenty of stress-inducing moments. Hopefully, Edgecombe eases the anxiety, and Nurse immediately trusts the rookie.