The Philadelphia 76ers enter the 2025-26 season with very high hopes of making a huge leap. After a disastrous campaign last season, the franchise is hungry to get back in the postseason, although the goal, of course, is to not just make the cut come April — it is to actually make noise in the playoffs and get as far as they can.
Despite their current state of affairs, the championship desperation remains alive and kicking in Philly. The front office is still operating under the belief that what they will parade next season is capable of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy and snapping a title drought that has spanned over four decades.
One of the biggest names to watch out for on the roster is rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, who will carry with him sky-high expectations in his first foray into the NBA as the third overall pick in the recently concluded draft. Heck, the Baylor standout had already made a name for himself during the Summer League, easily turning out to be one of the best prospects in the summer showcase with his uncanny scoring prowess and athleticism.
VJ Edgecombe gets high praise, draws comp to former 76ers star Jimmy Butler
In a recent podcast episode, Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh strongly praised Edgecombe, comparing him to former 76ers star Jimmy Butler.
Butler, who is probably one of the biggest playoff risers in basketball, is renowned for his athleticism and two-way prowess — two areas where Edgecombe has already proven himself to be particularly adept at.
Edgecombe is probably the better scorer than when Butler was still starting out, but he definitely has some shades of the six-time All-Star in him due to his mentality and blue-collar approach to the game on a nightly basis.
The 76ers badly want to get back in the playoff picture next season, and having someone like Edgecombe who is not only willing to do the glamorous things on the court, but also the dirty work, will be key to elevating their collective ceiling.
If the Baylor star’s scoring ability ends up being an NBA-ready are of his game, he will be able to prove that he is indeed one of the best prospects in his draft class. But if he manages to leverage his bounce to be a factor defensively, he should probably even be one of the favorites to win Rookie of the Year.
Hopefully, VJ Edgecombe does end up having a Jimmy Butler-like impact for the Philadelphia 76ers, minus the unceremonious exit, of course.