Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe may have had his Summer League experience shortened, but the Sixers’ young wing, who was recently taken third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, has seemingly made a lasting impression among NBA executives.
An article released on Thursday by ESPN’s Jeremy Woo anonymously polled 20 NBA executives and scouts, asking them to vote on various draft-themed questions, including: who will be this year’s Rookie of the Year, who will be the best pick from the 2025 Draft, who will be the best steal, the biggest reach, and who would be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Draft.
Edgecombe was voted the player most likely to prove to be the draft’s best pick, which notably asked for players not named Cooper Flagg. Still, the honor was Edgecombe’s to collect, securing the votes of half of the executives and scouts polled. San Antonio Spurs guard Derek Harper received the second most votes (6), and the remaining votes included Spurs forward Carter Bryant, Blazers center Hansen Yang, Wizards wing Tre Johnson, and, surprisingly enough, a joint vote for Kings forward Nique Clifford and Hawks big man Asa Newell.
Woo included that many scouts and executives believe Edgecombe has “significant untapped upside operating with the ball in his hands after playing mostly away from it in college.”
Within that same section, Woo quoted one Eastern Conference executive who was polled:
“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.”
Such praise for the third pick in a draft is not a strange concept, especially when the question inherently excludes the draft’s top pick. What is surprising, or rather, encouraging, is that Edgecombe was able to earn such a compliment despite being limited to just two appearances between Salt Lake City and Vegas due to injury.
Looking back on his performances, Edgecombe certainly stood out in his own way. He averaged 21.5 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and 3.5 combined steals and blocks per game, and beyond the counting stats, showcased elite athleticism that proved functional, most importantly.
It is that same athleticism, paired with Edgecombe’s attitude, work ethic, and general approach to the game, that has given many around the league, and certainly many more close to Philadelphia, high expectations for the young wing moving forward.
Could VJ Edgecombe become the Sixers’ second-best player by year’s end? Despite the uncertainty around the health of Joel Embiid and, admittedly, also Paul George, the Sixers also boast a talented core featuring All-Star Tyrese Maxey, the young and electric Jared McCain, and the versatile Quentin Grimes, that is, if they ever reach a new deal with Grimes.
Excitement is certainly understandable and even encouraged, but the focus should be on Edgecombe’s long-term development, not on setting unrealistic expectations for him.
