It’s always nice when we can talk about good things involving the Sixers.
The latest (and possibly biggest) beacon of hope is third overall pick VJ Edgecombe. The rookie out of Baylor impressed in limited summer league action. His 28-point performance in his debut captured imaginations all over the Delaware Valley. His second game showcased the rest of his game and how he can make an impact even when he’s not scoring.
The good news: fans aren’t the only ones impressed.
Jeremy Woo, one of ESPN’s lead
draft analysts, surveyed 20 anonymous NBA executives and scouts for their thoughts on the 2025-26 rookie class. Woo asked them five questions:
- Who’s your NBA Rookie of the Year?
- Which rookie — other than [Cooper] Flagg — will prove to be the draft’s best pick?
- Which rookie will be the biggest draft steal?
- Which pick was the draft’s biggest reach?
- Who will be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft?
While Edgecombe didn’t receive any votes for potentially winning Rookie of the Year, he did take home the most votes in the most important category, with half of those surveyed believing he’ll be the best player in this draft after Flagg.
The big winner here was Edgecombe, who came off the board third to the 76ers and underscored his talent earlier this month with an outstanding 28-point performance in his lone game at the Utah summer league event. The Baylor product is turning into a dynamic downhill slasher in the backcourt, and many execs and scouts believe he has significant untapped upside operating with the ball in his hands after playing mostly away from it in college.
This is what excited most people after that first game in Salt Lake. We all knew about the athleticism, motor and defensive instincts. The questions pre-draft were about Edgecombe’s shooting off the dribble and playmaking. He was outstanding in both regards that night against the Jazz, burying impressive midrange jumpers and making strong passing reads. If Edgecombe can continue to make strides in these areas, the sky is truly the limit.
And for the folks who were worried about fit and the Sixers having too many guards, one exec believes Edgecombe will be a factor for the team immediately.
While there were some reasonable questions about fit in Philadelphia, where the 76ers also have Tyrese Maxey and 2024 draft pick Jared McCain at guard, Edgecombe’s potential to be a standout on both sides of the ball ultimately overrode those concerns. There’s plenty of optimism around the league surrounding his future.
“VJ might be Philly’s second-best player by the end of the season, factoring in [Joel] Embiid’s uncertain health,” an Eastern Conference GM said. “He’s that good and will thrive playing in Nick Nurse’s system.“
There was already a ton of anticipation for Edgecombe to make his NBA debut. Things like this will only intensify that excitement.
How refreshing!
More from libertyballers.com:
- Liberty Links: Jayson Tatum should not be a top-five pick in 2017 NBA Draft
- Sixers Tinder: Shawn Long and Alex Poythress will be forgotten
- Markelle Fultz could be the icing on the Sixers’ cake
- Sixers Mailbag: Would you trade Dario Saric in a package to acquire the No. 1 pick?
- Brett Brown highlights list of keepers from 2016-17 Sixers
- Ben Simmons says he worked on his shot while out for the year
- Liberty Links: More than half of ESPN writers pick Joel Embiid for Rookie of the Year
