V.J. Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid
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VJ Edgecombe #77 of Philadelphia 76ers reacts during a preseason game between Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks on October 02, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The future of the Philadelphia 76ers hinges a ton on the upcoming NBA season.Whether it is the continued rise of Tyrese Maxey, the health concerns of Joel Embiid and Paul George, or the development of rookie V.J. Edgecombe, the Sixers have a lot on their plate for 2025-26.
But while Embiid and George remain question marks for the team,Philadelphia’s most recent draft pick has stood out through training camp. While hehasn’t yet solidified a role in the starting lineup, Edgecombe received high praise from his teammates just a few months into his NBA career.
“V.J. is a special talent,”Maxey said on Edgecombe, according to The Athletic. “One of the things he does well is how hard he plays on both ends of the floor. He does the little things that a lot of playersdon’t do. The sky is the limit for him.”
“I like him a lot,”Embiid added in the same article. “So far,he’s an amazing kid.It’s beenreally good having him around.”
Edgecombe went third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft to Philadelphia after averaging 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in his lone collegiate season at Baylor.
Edgecombe Holds High Expectations
WhileEdgecombe might not be surrounded by the same level of hype as a fellow 2025 draftee like Cooper Flagg, expectations for him in Philadelphia are high.
Sure sounds like VJ could start👀
"Tyrese and VJ look very good, and very comfortable, out there doing both things [playing on and off ball]. We were hoping that was the case, but it looked to me well-advanced."
"I think Tyrese showed that he needs to be off the ball some." pic.twitter.com/8PfMLnZy8c
— PHLY Sixers (@PHLY_Sixers) October 8, 2025
Playing just one season in college, and even with his Bahamanian national teamexperience, Edgecombe was surprised at the skill around the NBA.
“What I learned is that everyone is good at the NBA level,”Edgecombe said. “You learn about how good these players are.They’re good.They’re in the NBA for a reason. Everyone can hoop.”
The 20-year-old has the potential to find himself in the starting lineup at some point during the season. Withhisdefensive skillset, athleticism, and growing shooting ability, Edgecombe would likely slide in next to Maxey in the backcourt. Even with second-year guard Jared McCain out for a decent chunk of time, the rookie said he knows he has a lot to improve on before becoming a starter.
“That’s been my mindset,”Edgecombe added. “It’s a mentality thing for me, becauseI’m blessed to go out there and compete.”
Besides just noting his defensive ability and need for improvement shooting-wise, Tony Jones highlighted other aspects ofEdgecombe’s game in his article on the rookie.
Two weeks before the regular season begins and it appears VJ Edgecombe has a real chance to crack the starting lineup. Here is why the Sixers rookie is highly regarded, and what the No. 3 pick has to do in order to reach his ceiling. The story, is here – https://t.co/6K9ySUYHq6
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) October 9, 2025
“His ability to be a pick-and-roll ballhandler at this stage of his career is more advanced than advertised,”Jones wrote. ”Even with some of his current flaws, he can find a way to make things happen and create positively. Andthat’ssomething the Sixers need.”
Embiid And George Still Not Fully Back For The Sixers
While the franchise is hopeful Edgecombe will become successful in the league, the teamdoesn’t have that same clarity when it comes to the futures of Embiid and George. Specifically for Embiid, ashe’s been the franchise star for a decade now, but hasn’t played more than half a season over the past two years.
Embiid suffered a knee injury, the sameas George,actually, and missed most of last season. He and the team have offered different updates on his return over the past few months, but the latest news from the Sixers is a good sign for their center.
Joel Embiid practiced today, has increased his participation and did some 5-on-5. He is being evaluated daily and the team says he still has some boxes to check before he is cleared for playing in games.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) October 8, 2025
“Joel Embiid practiced today, has increased his participation and did some 5-on-5,”NBA insider Dereck Bodner wrote on X. “He isbeing evaluated daily and the team says he still has some boxes to check before heis cleared for playing in games.”
Philadelphia has yet to give Embiid thefull green light and announce an official return date. However, the news of his return to the court is a strong sign for the team, and fans are hopeful to see him in consistent action again.George isreturning from the same injury, but a bit behind in the recovery process.
In what might not be the best news, a recent article by Bleacher Report highlighted the ‘worst‘contracts in the NBA. Both Embiid and George were at the top of the list. The duo’s recent injury historywas cited as the main reason for their names on the list.
Expectations are high for Maxey and Edgecombe as the younger stars on the team, while the ‘older‘stars in Embiid and George still have no direct timeline for a return.