76ers play it safe with selection of V.J. Edgecombe

There was much made about what the Philadelphia 76ers were going to do with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft leading up to draft day, and the Sixers ended all speculation by selecting Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe.

The Sixers didn't trade the pick, and Edgecombe ultimately beat out the likes of Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel and Tre Johnson in the eyes of Philadelphia's front office. He'll now join a backcourt that already includes Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain.

If nothing else, the pick feels like a safe one. There are differing opinions on what Edgecombe's ceiling could be, but the consensus is that his floor is relatively high, and that his athleticism and commitment on the defensive side of the ball will make him a reliable rotation piece at the next level, at least. And if he can improve on offense -- specifically as a shooter and playmaker -- than the sky is the limit for the Bahamian product.

College basketball analyst Jay Bilas said that Edgecombe reminds him of Dwyane Wade and Victor Oladipo, and Edgecombe's NBA comp on NBADraft.net is Russell Wesbrook. Those are pretty lofty comparisons.

The hope is that he can be a guy who can contribute in the immediate and also grow into a building block for the franchise moving forward beyond the Joel Embiid era.

While speaking with media members after making the pick, Morey called Edgecombe a "potential All-Star," and also referred to him as a "dynamic athlete" and "two-way player."

A guy like Bailey might have more star potential, and he might have been a splashier selection, but his boom-or-bust potential is also higher. And while a trade-back would have been headline-generating, there's nothing wrong with taking a player who you're high on. There's no guarantee that a trade would have worked in Philly's favor.

Edgecombe appeared to be the leader in the clubhouse in Philly for weeks leading up to the first round, and the team got a first-hand look at him when he had visited with the organization. Clearly, they liked what they saw.

Some will likely take umbrage with the pick, but if Philly's front office deserves the benefit of the doubt in any area, it's in the draft. This front office under Morey has made several solid selections, including landing both Maxey and McCain when they dropped.

It remains to be seen exactly where Edgecombe will fit in the rotation, but that's for Nick Nurse to figure out. He'll likely be very excited about having a young, athletic defensive demon at his disposal.

Morey made it clear that the team would be selecting the best overall player, regardless of fit, and that's what they did. If they were worried about fit, they likely would have gone in a different direction and picked a guy like Bailey or Johnson.

It also remains to be seen what the selection of Edgecombe means for Quentin Grimes' future in Philly, if anything. Perhaps that the addition of the Baylor guard will make Grimes' presence superfluous in the eyes of the front office.

So, while the Sixers answered one major question by selecting Edgecome third overall, many others now exist, as the pick was just the first domino in a very important offseason for Philadelphia.

Follow Michael Kaskey-Blomain on X @therealmikekb.