Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) dribbles the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia 76ers have been hailed as winners of this offseason, but a couple of their players have been called the losers. With LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joining a 76ers team that already has Joel Embiid, concerns have been raised about Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has said Edgecombe could be the biggest loser in this situation, while some former NBA players believe his growth might be stunted. That chatter has grown louder now, and the 23-year-old was asked about his role and the notion that James and Brown’s arrival will stunt his development.
“I mean, it don’t matter what happens,” Edgecombe said. “… Someone’s always going to have something to say. But I just want to win. That’s me. I just want to win. And I’m gonna still be aggressive. I’mma still be myself. If that comes with less shots or more shots, who knows? I don’t know how the course of the game is gonna go, so I’m just excited to play alongside my teammates.
“I feel like we have a chance to do something really special, and I’m glad to be a part of it,” Edgecombe added.
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Edgecombe smirked as the question was being asked, and it’s clear he isn’t too worried about this. Before James signed with the 76ers, the young guard made it clear it would be amazing if he came to Philadelphia.
Sure, Edgecombe’s touches and shots are now likely going down compared to his rookie season, but he is excited to play with James and learn from him.
“But for me, I’m just willing,” Edgecombe said. “… I’m just happy to learn. I’m gonna ask Bron so many questions, ask JB so many questions. I already ask Joel and Maxey so many questions… I’m just happy to go learn. To me, the greatest player of all time, I’m playing alongside him. I’m just trying to see anything I can learn, get any bits and pieces.”
James has done everything there is to do in basketball. Edgecombe can learn some valuable lessons that will help him greatly over the course of his NBA career. The former Baylor star sure has gotten off to a pretty good start in the league.
Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the 76ers in 2025-26. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and will likely be a star one day.
For now, Edgecombe will take a backseat to the four stars on the 76ers: Embiid, Maxey, James, and Brown. There are concerns over how there is just one basketball, but the Bahamian is confident they’ll do well together on the court.
Maxey has made it clear no one on the 76ers can have an ego, and he is willing to sacrifice. They’re all going to do whatever it takes to win the NBA championship. The 76ers are among the favorites, and fans are dreaming about the team winning its first title since 1983.