CAMDEN, N.J. -- The energy and the vibes at the practice facility have been high for the Philadelphia 76ers as they prepare for a highly anticipated 2026-27 season. The Sixers have made a number of additions to the roster in the form of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, but they've also added some important bench pieces as well.
Along with the team's two stars, the Sixers have added proven veterans such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, for example. Both Caldwell-Pope and Brown have caught the eye of young Justin Edwards who is looking to learn from his new veteran teammates to help grow his game.
"Really, honestly, just trying to pick up of what I've looked out on, trying to learn from the new guys on the team, especially KCP, JB," said Edwards. "So,
really, just picking their brains, and just honestly, we’re just all being competitive, all trying to push each other to do better. So, that's what it's all about in training camp."
Star guard Tyrese Maxey recently mentioned that KCP can be a great example for Edwards to learn from. The two are similar players and they have a lot of 3-and-D ability. One has to believe that the Philadelphia native has his eyes on Caldwell-Pope as the Sixers move into training camp.
"Like I just said, I've been learning from KCP, especially on the defensive end," Edwards added. "He’s an all-around defender, so I was just asking like certain questions. Like, how he switches up his guarding schemes for different players and stuff. So really, that's it, honestly."
While KCP has two titles on his resume with the Los Angeles Lakers (2020) and the Denver Nuggets (2023), another player Edwards can really learn from is Brown. The 2024 finals MVP is a prime example of what can happen with a great work ethic and the young wing player has been working out with Brown after practice all week.
"Like I said, just learning how to guard different players," Edwards said of Brown. "He's one of the best players in our league right now. So, I feel like if I'm able to guard him in the post, I feel like I'll be able to guard a little bit of everybody, honestly. So, honestly, just trying to learn from him, learn from Phil. Just honestly, that's really it honestly. Just learning."
Edwards averaged 6.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 37.2% from deep in his second season in the league. Coach Nick Nurse wants him to continue to dig in defensively and make sure that he learns from KCP and Brown. There are bits and pieces of their games that he can apply to his own game and Nurse is happy with what he's seen.
"Mostly just to come down and dig in and start playing defense, and then keep the floor spaced and be ready," Nurse said of Edwards. "Be ready to pull it and I think you guys have heard me say that 100 times about Justin. He can guard and try hard every time, which he does, and he needs to space and keep building that confidence to pull the trigger from the catch-and-shoot 3. And that's enough."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' Justin Edwards singles out 2 new additions as camp continues
