Fresh off an All-Rookie campaign, the explosive guard must refine his finishing and playmaking to evolve into an elite two-way force alongside Tyrese Maxey.
VJ Edgecombe already gave the Philadelphia 76ers plenty to be excited about.
As a rookie, he averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while earning All-Rookie First Team honors. This is an impressive debut for someone who had questions surrounding him about how his athleticism would translate.
The new question is what comes next.
Edgecombe does not need to become a completely different player to take a major leap. His foundation is already strong. He is athletic, physical, competitive, and capable of impacting the game in multiple areas. But if he improves in three specific categories — finishing at the rim, playmaking, and defensive effort — he could become one of the better two-way guards in basketball.
The first step is becoming more efficient around the basket.
Edgecombe’s athleticism allows him to get downhill, absorb contact, and pressure the rim. That is one of the most valuable parts of his game. But getting to the rim and consistently finishing there are not the same thing; his 3.7 rim attempts per game sit in the 92nd percentile among all active players; however, his 60.3% rim field goal percentage is only in the 28th percentile
His finishing should improve with experience. As he learns how NBA shot blockers time their contests and how defenders load up in help coverage, Edgecombe should become better at changing speeds, using his body, and finishing with either hand.
If his field goal percentage at the rim climbs, his entire offensive profile changes. Defenders would have to respect his drives more aggressively, which would create cleaner looks for everyone around him.
That connects directly to his second area of growth: playmaking.
Edgecombe averaged 4.2 assists as a rookie, which showed promise. He is not a natural point guard in the traditional sense, but he has enough feel to become a strong secondary creator. The next step is reading the floor faster when defenses collapse. When he gets two feet in the paint, he has to consistently find corner shooters and quick swing passes before the defense resets.
That is where his partnership with Tyrese Maxey could become especially dangerous. Maxey already bends defenses with speed and scoring. If Edgecombe becomes a more reliable passer, Philadelphia would have two guards who can attack, create, and keep defenses in rotation.
Edgecombe has the tools to be excellent on that end. He has strength, quickness, competitiveness, and the athletic ability to pressure ball handlers. But like many young players, his effort and focus can fluctuate. Becoming a great defender is not just about highlight plays or steals. It is about staying locked in off the ball, fighting over screens, communicating, and bringing the same energy every night.
He is already a positive on this end, as players shoot 3.6% worse when they are guarded by Edgecombe, but as he gains NBA experience, he could become one of the premier defenders in the sport.
The Sixers do not need Edgecombe to become a finished star overnight. But they do need him to keep sharpening the parts of his game that already make him intriguing. Better finishing would make him harder to contain. Better passing would make him easier to build around. Better defensive consistency would make him a true two-way piece.
That is the path from promising young guard to franchise cornerstone.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected].
