Welcome V.J. Edgecombe

[ProcessDoctor]

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My expectations this year are definitely tempered, but he provides exactly the things we've been missing. His rebounding and effort are excellent. Rim pressure, interior passing, even simple passing... it's just a type of game we haven't really had recently and it complements well with McCain, Maxey and Embiid. He still ball watches way too much on defense. He also needs to figure out that extra step into space when driving. I don't think he's going to be filled out enough to be a force of any kind this season, but I do think he can be a fringe double digit scorer off the bench and provide much needed sparks on both end off the bench. I'm excited to see what he's going to offer this year.

Great analysis! I don't see him being talked about as a "star" until maybe year 3, but he'll show a lot of promise during the 2 years preceding that.

That being said, I think the PG injury will hurt VJ a little more than we think. He's a great shooter off the catch, and I think it'll really help VJ if he has optimal spacing around him, especially early on while his shot is improving.

[76ciology]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45807536/2025-nba-draft-executives-debate-espn-poll-rookies-year-best-picks-summer-league?

Which rookie -- other than Flagg -- will prove to be the draft's best pick?

1. VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers, No. 3): 10 votes
2. Dylan Harper (Spurs, No. 2): 6 votes

Also receiving votes: Carter Bryant (Spurs), Yang Hansen (Portland Trail Blazers), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Nique Clifford (Sacramento Kings)/Asa Newell (Atlanta Hawks)

With Flagg the overwhelming headliner of the 2025 draft class, we geared this question toward the rest of the group. "Best pick" was left open for interpretation intentionally: The goal was simply to find out which selection(s) rival teams liked most.

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. 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.


In his single season at Rutgers, Dylan Harper averaged 19.4 points and 4.0 assists. (Photo by Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images)
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. "

San Antonio's Harper, the No. 2 pick out of Rutgers, garnered six votes, with some viewing the Spurs as a strong landing spot despite a crowded backcourt situation, with Harper joining 2024-25 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and recently acquired De'Aaron Fox in the mix. Harper's pick-and-roll prowess and crafty, powerful style of play made him the choice for the Spurs, who have been optimizing for additional playmaking around Victor Wembanyama moving forward. Even if he winds up coming off the bench as a rookie, Harper projects as a foundational long-term player.

"[Harper] has some [Manu] Ginobili to his offensive game," one Western Conference scout said. "If the 3-point shot ever becomes a true weapon [for him], he makes Fox expendable and gives San Antonio a nice trade asset."

[TYO23]

I could see a world very easily where he’s the best player on the team in 2-3 years.

[ProcessDoctor]

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All the talk about a future Maxey/Edgecombe backcourt when it may actually end up being this.

[76ciology]

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[76ciology]

My only real concern with VJ is that he looks smaller on the court than his listed measurements suggest, probably because of his narrow shoulders. He even looks just slightly taller to some people at some event, a couple of days ago.

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When I watch him play, I’ve always wondered if that might be a problem at the next level, but to his credit, he consistently plays bigger than he looks. He gets to the rim, draws fouls, blocks shots, and grabs rebounds, he impacts the game like a 6’7-6’8 wing. But it’s something i’ll continue to observe in the upcoming regular season.

I’m not too worried about his ball handling. It’s solid enough to build on, and when you factor in his quick first step and the threat of a jumper, it should be more than enough for him to beat defenders off the dribble.

Heading into next season, his role and minutes will probably depend on how well he shoots and whether he can defend bigger matchups. But long term, if he becomes a consistent shooter, he’s got a real shot at being a star.

[Sixersftw]

My only real concern with VJ is that he looks smaller on the court than his listed measurements suggest, probably because of his narrow shoulders. He even looks just slightly taller to some people at some event, a couple of days ago.

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When I watch him play, I’ve always wondered if that might be a problem at the next level, but to his credit, he consistently plays bigger than he looks. He gets to the rim, draws fouls, blocks shots, and grabs rebounds, he impacts the game like a 6’7-6’8 wing. But it’s something i’ll continue to observe in the upcoming regular season.

I’m not too worried about his ball handling. It’s solid enough to build on, and when you factor in his quick first step and the threat of a jumper, it should be more than enough for him to beat defenders off the dribble.

Heading into next season, his role and minutes will probably depend on how well he shoots and whether he can defend bigger matchups. But long term, if he becomes a consistent shooter, he’s got a real shot at being a star.

His size only seems to be an issue, from what I saw in college, when he's defending and forced near/under the basket. Otherwise, he seems to play pretty big.

The clip above of the open run is fun. It's amazing that, even in his diminished state, you can do everything right and Klay still just drops shots on you. I'd have to fight him after like 3 or 4 of those.

[Jailblazers7]

I feel like we’ve gotta wait until year 2/3 to judge VJ’s size. The body transformations these days from rookie to year 3 are crazy - I expect he looks a lot broader and has some excellent functional strength after he has a couple summers under his belt.

[76ciology]

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[sodmoraes]

VJ got that mamba mentality

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[Iverson Armband]

VJ got that mamba mentality

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Sounded more like PG empowering him, which is good. I hope he listens.