PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that will feature a lot of talent in the upcoming season that will make life easier for somebody like Tyrese Maxey. The 2-time All-Star has had to handle the responsibility of playmaker and ball-handler in recent seasons, but the development of VJ Edgecombe should make life easier for him.
Edgecombe impressed in that department in Monday's preseason win over the New York Knicks. The second-year guard had 12 points, seven assists, and four rebounds in 20 minutes played in the first half. As he continues to grow as a player, his development as a playmaker and a ball-handler will do wonders for his overall game.
"I think I'm doing a pretty good job," Edgecombe stated. "We all play together in practice,
but I say, just trying to learn just different aspects of it. Like LeBron (James), JB (Jaylen Brown), Joel (Embiid), Reese, all five of us on the floor. You know, it's gonna be a little different, but that's why I was working. Working on making sure I'm able to hit wide open shots or tag the drive, make a play going to them. Obviously, that's where the handle part come in. Having to protect the ball, ball security."
Video thread time! VJ Edgecombe was impressive as a playmaker in the preseason opener. First example, he runs a pick-and-pop with Jabari Walker, he attracts attention, and Walker knocks down the 3 confidently.
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) October 6, 2026
Side note here, Walker's shot looks much more fluid. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/b64AdtjhYK
As Edgecombe moves forward, the Sixers will put the ball in his hands often and lean on him to give somebody like Maxey a break and move the 7-year guard off the ball. If the seven assists he had against the Knicks are a sign of things to come, then Philadelphia will be in a good position.
"I always thought I was a pretty good passer," Edgecombe added. "I feel I can create for others. For me, I'm pass first, to be honest, I like to see my teammates score, and that just gets the flow of the game. That gets people in the rhythm, and it's gonna help me get in a rhythm also. So I feel like I'm a good passer. I just try to try to read defense. Take my time, have some patience."
The Sixers, obviously, didn't have a full squad on Monday night with James, Embiid, and Maxey sitting, but with that type of offensive firepower around him, it should allow Edgecombe to be able to put up high assist numbers and push Philadelphia forward. His playmaking and ball-handling will be such an important factor for this group going forward.
"I think just me being aggressive helped with other players getting shots because I was able to just get in the paint and make a play for someone else," Edgecombe finished. "That's what I always want to do. I always want to make play for someone else. And so, just seeing other people score on my team, obviously, seeing my teammates score, I'm happy for them."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' VJ Edgecombe opens up improvement as playmaker, ball-handler
