The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing for the NBA Summer League. New rookie VJ Edgecombe will undoubtedly draw attention from the Sixers fanbase. Everyone will want to see the highly rated rookie in action.
When speaking to the media following a recent “mini camp”, TJ DiLeo, the Sixers Summer League coach, shared his first impressions of Edgecombe.
“I think, in general, he’s a smart player,” DiLeo said, via Ky Carlin of SixersWire. “He sees the floor well, and as you guys all know, he’s a threat to punch a gap at any time. So, defenses have to respect that. I think he can be a really good, like, pick guys, chase, stuff like that. I think we’re keeping it pretty simple for everybody right now. We want early attacks. We want all that and he’s done a tremendous job of that so far.”
The Sixers selected Edgecombe with the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He joins a loaded guard rotation, led by Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe’s first opportunity to prove himself and start making a case for genuine playing time will come in Las Vegas. Of course, training camp and preseason is where he can really stake his claim.
Nevertheless, as a top pick in this year’s draft class, there will be plenty of eyes on Edgecombe as everyone waits to see what type of player the Sixers added to their rotation.
Sixers’ Quentin Grimes Could Draw Interest
One player who will likely be standing in front of Edgecombe next season is Quentin Grimes. He shone for Nick Nurse’s team after joining the franchise midway through the season. However, Grimes is a restricted free agent this summer and could potentially find himself switching teams once more.
In a recent article, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton cited the Chicago Bulls as a team that could make sense for Grimes. Of course, Chicago would only target him if they were unable to agree on terms with Josh Giddey.
“Chicago would actually make some sense,” Pelton noted, “But the Bulls are busy dealing with Giddey’s restricted free agency.”
Grimes has played himself into a pay rise. He’s also likely to command a sizeable role in a rotation. Both Chicago and Philadelphia can meet those demands.
Grimes Set For “At Least” $16 Million Per Year
According to Marc Stein, via a June 29 edition of his “Stein Line Newsletter,” the Sixers guard is expected to earn a salary ‘of at least’ $16 million on his next contract.
“The early rumbles out of Philadelphia on Quentin Grimes’ expected new deal: The restricted free agent is projected to land a starting salary of at least $16 million after his monster March,” Stein reported.
Edgecombe will take multiple years to begin showing his true potential. Rookies need playing time and patience. Therefore, keeping Grimes around allows the rookie guard to develop without pressure. Grimes and Maxey will shoulder the burden of generating offense, allowing Edgecombe to figure out who he is in the NBA and how his talent fits Nurse’s vision.
Therefore, Grimes is unlikely to be too much of a roadblock for Edgecombe. If anything, keeping him around could be the smart play.
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