The Philadelphia 76ers drafting VJ Edgecombe never made sense from a roster-building perspective. With [Tyrese Maxey already running the show](https://thesixersense.com/tyrese-maxey-showing-superstar-quality-sacrificing-vj-edgecombe-76ers), Quentin Grimes in the mix for at least another year, and Jared McCain set to return from injury early in the year, there were always going to be questions about the long-term viability of having all four in the rotation simultaneously.
At first, it didn't appear to be a problem; Maxey was his usual thrilling self, Edgecombe instantly put himself in the Rookie of the Year race, Grimes was a sniper off the bench, and it looked like McCain would be able to ease his way back into the lineup.
Now, things are getting a little wonky. Grimes has cooled off considerably, and McCain has looked pretty rough at times — but that could be in part because he hasn't gotten the chance to play big minutes, leaving the 76ers with an odd McCain situation.
Sixers may have a Catch-22 with Jared McCain right now
------------------------------------------------------
Is Jared McCain not playing well enough because he's not getting many minutes, or is he not getting many minutes because he's not playing well enough to earn them? Yes?
Let me clarify that I'm not panicked about McCain's development as a player; he was so, so good to start his rookie year and I don't think that was a fluke. Of course he's going to need some time to reacclimate after missing most of his first year (and his first full offseason) with a knee injury.
However, if VJ Edgecombe really is as good as he appears to be (and I'm confident he is), then McCain's spot in this backcourt is, at best, a really good sixth man. Nick Nurse can play all three of his guards together — but starting all three of them sacrifices so much size and defensive switchability that that's probably not in the cards.
Quentin Grimes will likely not be on the team next season, and that opens up a lot of opportunity for McCain. But with Maxey and Edgecombe the clear starters, will we ever get to see last year's first-round pick truly break out in Philly?
VJ Edgecombe was obviously the right pick. He's been a thrill ride in the first half of his rookie season, and he's only going to get better. He and Maxey "work", and the Sixers have two real building blocks now. But in adding Edgecombe, the Sixers may have unintentionally put a ceiling on what Jared McCain can accomplish.