The Philadelphia 76ers have unavoidably changed the dynamic at play for second-year shooting guard VJ Edgecombe. Mere months removed from a sensational rookie season, the 21-year-old is likely to be featured far less frequently from a scoring perspective after Philadelphia added Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to its starting lineup.
Though Edgecombe's offensive role is likely to be scaled back, his defense, shooting, and late-game execution will likely be more important than they were a season ago.
With Brown, Joel Embiid, James, and Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers have four All-NBA players in the starting lineup. Each averaged in excess of 20 points per game this past season. They all also posted usage rates of 26.2 or higher.
That simply doesn't leave much room for Edgecome to factor into the offensive game plan in the same way he did as a rookie, when he averaged 16.0 points and 13.7 field goal attempts per game.
There are clear issues that need to be resolved, however, and Edgecombe is a prime candidate to do so. For one, the 76ers have no starters who shot at least 37.0 percent from beyond the arc in 2025-26. They also need wing defenders who can take pressure off of James, 41, and Embiid, who's endured an immense number of knee injuries.
It may not be as glamorous of a role as being a featured scorer, but Edgecombe blossoming into a true 3-and-D wing with shot creation proficiency will be nothing short of essential.
76ers need V.J. Edgecombe to become a star in his role
Though they operate in different capacities, the trio of Brown, Embiid, and James are known to be interior-oriented scoring threats. While Embiid relies more on post-ups, Brown and James are renowned dribble penetrators who are at their best when they can get to the rim.
That puts significant pressure on Edgecombe and Maxey to provide optimal spacing as guards who can punish opponents for attempting to double one of the All-NBA scorers on their way inside.
The good news is that Edgecombe shot 38.7 percent on catch-and-shoot threes this past season. Maxey, who should continue to feature on offense as a slasher himself, shot 41.7 percent. Together, their efficient catch-and-shoot contributions should help create the spacing Philadelphia needs.
The bigger question, however, is whether or not Edgecombe can truly become the 76ers' go-to on-ball defender in just his second season.
Edgecombe is aggressive at the point of attack and already ranks among the better defenders in the NBA. He ranked in the 87th percentile in perimeter isolation defense in 2025-26, as well as the 93rd percentile in ball screen navigation and the 98th percentile in off-ball chaser defense, per Basketball Index. The standard will be higher than a season ago, however, as Philadelphia is a championship or bust team.
If Edgecombe can adapt to the new environment he'll be playing in and thrive as a 3-and-D wing, then the 76ers will have a shot at a title. If he can add shot creation, then they could become a favorite.
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