The Philadelphia 76ers enter the 2026-27 season with LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey, but Maxey believes 21-year-old VJ Edgecombe could be just as important to their championship ambitions.
During Philadelphia’s media day, Maxey described Edgecombe as potentially the team’s most important player and emphasized how much the 76ers will depend on his youth and energy throughout the season.
Maxey explained that Edgecombe’s responsibilities will change depending on what Philadelphia needs on a particular night. There will be games when his scoring is important and others when his rebounding, defense or ability to create extra possessions becomes more valuable.
The key, according to Maxey, will be consistency.
He wants Edgecombe to become a steady presence regardless of how his individual role changes within a roster loaded with accomplished veterans. Maxey believes Edgecombe has the adaptability and mentality necessary to handle those different responsibilities.
That versatility could become particularly valuable because Philadelphia’s offseason dramatically changed the environment around Edgecombe.
The 76ers added James and acquired Brown, placing two more established stars alongside Embiid and Maxey. Rather than viewing those additions as a reason to reduce Edgecombe’s importance, Philadelphia appears determined to keep the second-year guard heavily involved.
Edgecombe established himself immediately during his rookie season.
The No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 75 games. His production was accompanied by the willingness to compete against opposing teams’ top players despite being only 20 during his first NBA season.
Maxey has also noticed development beyond Edgecombe’s statistics.
He praised the young guard’s growth during the offseason, both as a player and in terms of maturity. Maxey believes Edgecombe’s desire to win will allow him to accept whatever responsibility is required instead of measuring his importance strictly through scoring opportunities.
That could be especially important on a team where touches will have to be distributed among several high-level offensive players.
Maxey has already stressed that Philadelphia cannot allow individual egos to interfere with its objectives. He previously pointed out that Edgecombe made important shots during his rookie season when defenses sent additional attention toward Maxey or Embiid, demonstrating that Philadelphia trusted him in meaningful possessions before its roster became even deeper.
Maxey also sees similarities between himself and Edgecombe, particularly in their ability to adjust and their approach to winning.
His message to his young teammate is therefore not centered on becoming another primary star alongside James, Embiid and Brown.
Philadelphia needs Edgecombe to provide something different.
His athleticism, defensive effort, energy and willingness to adapt can give the 76ers qualities that their veteran stars cannot necessarily reproduce every night. Maxey believes those responsibilities could make Edgecombe one of the defining pieces of Philadelphia’s season.
On a roster filled with former MVPs, Finals MVPs and All-NBA players, Maxey is making sure Edgecombe understands exactly how much the 76ers still need him.
