On the heels of Monday’s Paul George injury report, Sixers fans could breathe a sigh of relief on Tuesday as third overall pick VJ Edgecombe returned to summer league play.
Edgecombe’s battle with a thumb sprain appears to have concluded, as he flashed his talent against the Washington Wizards. He would tally 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a very impressive block (1:10 in video below).
Sixers rookie V.J. Edgecombe continues to impress this Summer, scoring 15 points in 30 minutes to go along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block last night pic.twitter.com/21asktPa5K
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) July 16, 2025
Edgecombe’s development may be more crucial to the Sixers than previously thought. ESPN’s Johnathan Givony reported earlier on Tuesday that some NBA executives already have a gloomy outlook on the 2027 draft class:
“The most forward-thinking of those executives are already ringing alarm bells in their front offices for the 2027 NBA draft, which appears to be an especially weak group of rising high school seniors and international players born in 2007 and 2008.”
Givony reveals that college coaches are even shying away from the top high school prospects and are instead heavily focusing on acquiring talent through the transfer portal.
What does this mean for the Sixers?
If you recall the draft lottery this year, the one in which fans and the front office alike were holding on to the chances of the Sixers even getting a draft pick. The one that had them jumping up to the third overall spot, leading to them take Edgecombe. Since the pick stayed with the Sixers, next year's selection is at stake, with the possibility of being sent to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder if it does not land in one of the top four picks.
Barring an even more disastrous season than the previous, the 2026 pick will be sent to the Thunder. This means the next pick the 76ers have sole ownership of is their 2027 first-round pick, as it pushes back their top-eight protected first-round pick owed to the Brooklyn Nets until 2028.
If Givony’s report holds, and there is little star talent in the 2027 draft class, it becomes evident that the development of rookie-scale contract players like Edgecombe and Jared McCain will be pivotal.
The Sixers could be looking at a 2027-28 roster with a 33-year-old Joel Embiid, who will make $62.5 million that season. Paul George will be 37 that year and has a player option to return to the team for $56.5 million. Unless there are some unforeseen revenue spikes or trades, those two contracts would eat up about 70% of the team's total cap space.
Even if the two injury-prone stars can put together a successful season or two, the optionality for the front office in 2027 just got more difficult. It will be unlikely that teams will value that year’s draft picks equally to even selections in 2026, which may just become more valuable in turn.
Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Duke’s Cameron Boozer, son of former All-Star Carlos Boozer, headline the 2026 draft class with star-level potential.
Despite criticism from NBA executives, the 2027 draft class boasts a couple of names that demonstrate clear league potential.
The top-ranked class of 2026 high schooler is currently 6-foot-7 Tyran Stokes out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA.
He has the physical tools to hold his own defensively, notably out on the perimeter, and is unafraid to jump passing lanes or steal some cookies from unsuspecting opponents. His high-flying slashing game has shades of Sixers’ own Kelly Oubre Jr., as he consistently finishes dunks and lobs with ferocity. Almost every dunk is followed by either a flex to the crowd or trash talk to the defender he scored on, bringing palpable energy to the team.
He has room to grow as a shooter from deep, but his shot appears fundamentally sound and consistent from around the court. Against a more formidable defense, he flashes solid playmaking and shot creation.
The other 2027 draft prospect to keep an eye on is 6-foot-11 forward Miika Muurinen out of Finland.
Muurinen is a complete package offensively and is the best shooter in the class. His height allows him to stretch the floor, which he takes advantage of with impressive on-ball skills.
He is comfortable shooting from NBA three-point range, operating in the post, and finishing with touch at the rim.
Muurinen demonstrates a solid basketball IQ, consistently cutting off the ball when the offense stagnates, working patiently on dribble-handoffs with guards, popping out to the three-point line after setting screens, and consistently being in the right spot defensively. The question will be whether his rebounding and paint defense will be hampered by his slender frame at the next level.
Sixers fans know better than anyone that a lot can change within a year. To write off these prospects before getting their first ounce of college coaching is irresponsible, even if hindsight proves the critiques correct.
If college coaches are unwilling to hand out five-star-level money to these prospects, like Givony reported, perhaps they will be hungrier than ever to get themselves NBA-ready. Only time will tell.
The Sixers are already handcuffed for the next few years, and if the scout who said “This is one of the weakest high school classes I’ve seen in a long time” is accurate, the handcuffs will be even more challenging to unlock.
The answer might have to be budding stardom out of their last two first-round picks. McCain oozed potential through 23 games in his rookie season and was on pace to win Rookie of the Year before injuring his meniscus. Through two summer league games, Edgecombe shows great promise as well, but it would be an overreaction to claim he is a budding star.
Hitting on second-round picks will be crucial, as cheap but talented players will offset the top-heavy cap sheet. The Sixers' President of Basketball Operations has a strong history of drafting players in the second round, with names like Isaiah Joe, Paul Reed and, more recently, Adem Bona making a name for themselves or earning second contracts.
This must continue if the Sixers are to survive a weak 2027 draft class.