The first VJ Edgecombe dunk at (the newly and terribly named) Xfinity Mobile Arena might register on the richter scale in South Philadelphia. The No. 3 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft will immediately become one of the most explosive guards in the league, and by far the most cumulatively athletic backcourt player the Sixers have rostered since... Markelle Fultz? Really old Jason Richardson? Sorry, didn't mean to give you war flashbacks there.
Edgecombe joins a crowded backcourt in Philly. Tyrese Maxey is an established All-Star-level player, Jared McCain was well on his way to Rookie of the Year before tearing his meniscus, Kyle Lowry is the veteran presence, and Quentin Grimes (assuming he ever does sign with the team) is the combo guard who might even play a little small forward when the Sixers roll out three-guard lineups next season. I like every player in that group — but none of them have the bounce or the on-ball defensive upside that Edgecombe possesses. Jared McCain dunked the ball two times last year, and while a backcourt of him and Maxey would pour in buckets, it would also give up a lot on the other end.
Edgecombe's athletic profile, including the ability to stay in front of opponents, is a big part of why he was a top-three pick in the first place; it's rare for a guard to have the strength, leaping ability, and shooting production that Edgecombe showed in his one year at Baylor. And the ability to pair that with the scoring of McCain or Maxey (or the facilitation of Kyle Lowry on occasion) raises the ceiling of this guard room considerably.
Sixers guard room is crowded, but Edgecombe brings versatility
I don't expect VJ Edgecombe to start right off the bat for the Sixers; Maxey is locked in at one guard spot, and I think Grimes begins the year in the starting five. But I do think it will immediately become clear that the extra dimension Edgecombe provides with his athleticism (38-inch vertical leap at the combine) and defense (2.1 STL per game in college) are necessary to balance out the Sixers lineup. He might not lead all rookies in minutes per game — there are plenty of rookies on bad rosters who will play 30-plus minutes just because teams want them to develop on the fly — but Edgecombe could challenge Cooper Flagg for having the biggest impact from a rookie on a playoff team.
Projecting the Sixers guard rotation to begin the 2025-26 season
Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
Point guard | Tyrese Maxey | VJ Edgecombe | Kyle Lowry |
Shooting guard | Quentin Grimes | Jared McCain | Eric Gordon |
This is far from an exact science; but I think Nick Nurse tries to roll mostly with the young guys to start the year. Kyle Lowry will get a few minutes each night, but at 39 years old, won't be relied on too heavily throughout the season. I think Maxey and Grimes have the highest floor out of any of the potential guard combinations, which is why I preoject them being the starting backcourt on opening night.