The NBA Draft is fast approaching. The Philadelphia 76ers have the third pick at their disposal. Daryl Morey is undoubtedly working through a mountain of scouting reports and statistical analysis on potential new additions to the Sixers.
In a recent mock draft from Adam Aaronson of the Philadelphia Voice, the Sixers selected VJ Edgecombe out of Baylor.
“A trade down still seems very possible, but if they stick and pick Edgecombe may very well be the guy,” Aaronson wrote. “…The people who would advocate against taking Edgecombe this high would point to the fact that he is a true guard like Maxey and Jared McCain, while someone like Bailey could play alongside the team’s two current long-term building blocks.”
Aaronson continued.
“There are also extremely valid concerns about the extent of Edgecombe’s offensive upside; he is a decent shooter but not a great one and lacks the requisite ball-handling skill to be a consistent on-ball scorer right now. Edgecombe is a dominant transition scorer but has a ways to go putting the ball in the basket against set defenses.”
Edgecombe’s positional fit would certainly provide some challenges for the Sixers. Philadelphia already has Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes (if he re-signs) and potentially Lonnie Walker IV or Jared Butler.
Selecting the Baylor guard would certainly be a case of choosing the player Morey believes is the most talented on the board. However, as a team already designed to contend, Morey may be better served picking based on roster fit rather than overall upside.
Edgecombe Has Become Sixers’ Prime Candidate
According to Jake Fischer, via the SteinLine Newsletter on Wednesday, June 11, Edgecombe has become the Sixers’ “prime candidate” with the third overall pick.
“The prime candidate at No. 3, at this juncture, appears to be Baylor freshman guard VJ Edgecombe, who sources say visited with the Sixers last week,” Fischer wrote. “…Edgecombe is said to have impressed with his work ethic, personality and interviews. He went to dinner with Morey and other Sixers higher-ups. Even Tyrese Maxey, sources say, flew in for the occasion. The Sixers are certainly intrigued by what type of defensive complement Edgecombe could provide their All-Star guard, sources say, in addition to his explosive upside on the offensive side of the ball.”
Edgecombe played in 33 games for Baylor this past season. He averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He shot 43.6% from the field and 34% from 3-point range. There’s no doubt that he could improve the Sixers’ rotation. However, the positional fit could be a legitimate drawback for the franchise.
Sixers Could Take a Different Route
Another option for the Sixers in the upcoming draft would be to target a big man.
Khaman Maluach delivered an impressive season for the Duke Blue Devils, and The Athletic’s Zach Harper recently mocked him to join the Sixers with the third-overall pick.
“Yes, Maluach is a center, and Joel Embiid is a center, and you’re not going to employ two franchise centers at the same time,” Harper wrote. “That is, if you believe Maluach has the potential to become a franchise center. But we know Embiid is 31, his body simply doesn’t hold up, and the Sixers have to start wondering how much longer they can afford to roll with this process. Bringing in Maluach gives some clarity on what that succession plan looks like, and hopefully, he learns heavily from Embiid on a daily basis.”
If Edgecombe’s fit in the guard rotation feels too jarring and Morey doubts Ace Bailey’s potential, Maluach could be a compelling choice. He would give the bench unit an endless motor, significant size and a bigger presence on both sets of glass.
Morey has some tough decisions to make. Fortunately, draft night is almost here, at which point, Morey can turn his focus toward the free agency period.
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