Edgecombe’s Role in the 2025 NBA Season

In the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, only one player, Kon Knueppel, who played alongside the anticipated No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, had a lower collegiate usage rate than VJ Edgecombe. Oddly enough, Edgecombe’s pre-draft appeal didn’t really focus on his ability to create and score.

But, then something interesting happened. Edgecombe went off for 34 points in his NBA debut, landing third in rookie scoring, just behind Flagg and Knueppel. This performance shifted how many viewed his potential and why there’s a lot of optimism surrounding his future.

That optimism took on a new twist when the Philadelphia 76ers revamped their roster by bringing in Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James. This led to some speculation about whether this influx of star talent might overshadow Edgecombe’s development, especially given how central he had been to the team’s plans as a rookie.

Despite those concerns, Edgecombe seems poised to thrive in this newly structured Sixers team, where his role aligns better with his strengths and lessens his weaknesses. With heavy hitters like Brown, James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey focused on putting up big numbers, someone from the starting lineup will need to step up in other ways.

This is where Edgecombe could shine, perhaps helping push Philadelphia toward title contention by stepping into the sort of role that recent champions like Josh Hart and Alex Caruso embraced.

Last season, Edgecombe had a 20.6 percent usage rate, which was the lowest among the Sixers’ starters. It’s likely that everyone’s numbers will dip to some extent, but Edgecombe stands out as the most suitable candidate to take on a different kind of contribution, given that he might not be the most potent scorer among them. And that’s okay. Redirecting his focus away from creating plays and toward harnessing his athleticism could really benefit him.

Stats from databallr show that Edgecombe averaged 7.0 true shooting attempts per 100 possessions last season, landing him in the 86th percentile. However, he only managed a 43.7 percent true shooting rate, which is notably below average. While he did exhibit some potential for creating his own shots, he struggled with his ball handling and timing, which negatively affected his scoring efficiency.

The addition of James and Brown should help funnel whatever opportunities Edgecombe receives into more advantageous areas, such as transition scoring and catch-and-shoot situations. Still, that doesn’t guarantee success; Edgecombe needs to prove he can be a reliable off-ball shooter (he shot 38.3 percent on catch-and-shoot threes last season) and continue to grow as a finisher throughout the season.

Cleaning the Glass reports that his 61 percent shooting at the rim last season put him in the 38th percentile, hampered by overly ambitious attempts and inconsistent driving. However, throughout last season, he demonstrated growth in crafting his shots with more finesse and judgment.

Each of these championship-caliber role players mentioned earlier had their signature finishing moves, whether it was from long range or attacking the basket. While there’s complexity involved in being that kind of reliable contributor, nailing down these responsibilities will be part of Edgecombe’s development.

Although the Sixers may not have all five starters on the floor at one time every game, there will definitely be moments when Edgecombe finds himself matched up against a less competent defender, as opposing teams try to focus on stopping Brown, James, and Maxey. In those instances, Edgecombe should capitalize on his speed and explosive athleticism, particularly on the offensive boards.

He recorded a 5.0 percent offensive rebounding rate last season, sitting at the 58th percentile. With the right mindset and some freedom to assert himself, he could potentially double that number. There are plenty of differences between him and those standout players, especially regarding size and strength, yet if Edgecombe can replicate some of their abilities as a dynamic second-chance scorer and transition threat, it could turn out well for him.

He’ll also likely be the primary defender on most nights, although Brown may occasionally take on that role. His agility, energy, and coordination were crucial to his defensive success as a rookie, where he had many standout performances against top-tier scorers.

If he can maintain that performance level in his second season, it could significantly impact the Sixers’ defense. It’s quite the responsibility for a young player, but right now, no one else in the starting lineup quite matches his potential as a perimeter defender. While Dean Wade is a solid wing defender, he may not be the best choice for closing games when the whole team is available. Edgecombe needs to take on that challenge.

On-ball defense doesn’t happen in isolation, and it often requires solid teamwork to minimize scoring opportunities for opponents. He’ll also need to be sharp off the ball. Based on comments from head coach Nick Nurse, it appears that the revamped Sixers roster is providing him a better opportunity to implement the defensive strategies Nurse prefers, which would suit Edgecombe just fine.

In his five seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Nurse led his teams to rank among the top two in opposing turnover rates four times, which is impressive. The Sixers have seen some success, too, finishing among the top eight in turnover rates since Nurse joined them, though they haven’t exceeded 16.2 percent turnover rates often. With players like Maxey, Brown, and Edgecombe on the perimeter, they might be encouraged to ramp up their defensive intensity, especially if Embiid and James provide solid support from behind.

Last season, Edgecombe recorded a 1.7 percent steal rate, placing him in the 66th percentile. However, there seems to be so much more potential waiting to be tapped into, given his agility and instinctive play. His average of 3.3 deflections per game puts him among the best in that category. In college, he had a steal rate of 3.8 percent while averaging 2.5 steals per 40 minutes; it’s clear there’s a defensive dynamo waiting for the right circumstances to shine. Unlocking that ability could be vital for him as he adjusts to a lesser offensive role.

Toronto consistently ranked among the leaders in transition plays, thanks to a tenacious defense during Nurse’s time there. Conversely, since Nurse took over the Sixers, they have fallen outside the top 10 in transition frequency each year.

However, things might be different in the 2026-27 season. With Maxey, Brown, James, and Edgecombe all capable of running the court, and a more disruptive defensive strategy in the works, it should be a better fit for Edgecombe’s style.

Ultimately, while Maxey, Brown, and Embiid will continue to create plenty of scoring chances, not every shot will land, nor will every pass create points. Philadelphia needs to find other ways to win possessions, and that’s where Edgecombe can play a crucial role, much like his aforementioned peers.

This season, Edgecombe is stepping into a new, crucial role tailored for his talents, which will be vital in assessing whether the restructured Sixers can genuinely compete for a championship. He may not end up being the star player, but how he manages these new responsibilities could very well signal the team’s potential path toward the title.