PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers will look a bit different when they take the floor on opening night for the 2025-26 season. After going 24-58 in the 2024-25 season, the Sixers have gone the younger route as they look for second-year Jared McCain, rookie VJ Edgecombe, and others to step up and make an impact.

After a tough season, the Sixers were granted the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft which led to them selecting Edgecombe. The athletic wing from Baylor showed off his potential in the summer league–though he was limited to only two games because of a thumb injury–and one has to believe he will be in coach Nick Nurse’s rotation from the get-go.

Edgecombe did learn a lot in his two summer league appearances. He played once in Salt Lake City when he delivered a big performance of 28 points before playing a game in Las Vegas and providing 14 points and a couple of steals. Those couple of performances taught him that this isn’t college basketball anymore.

“Yeah, that’s a different level of basketball,” Edgecombe said of the summer league. “The NBA plays a lot faster, got to make decisions a lot quicker, but you know, it’s good bump (competition) at all times. Every night’s gonna be good bump. So that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

While the Sixers will be younger in the upcoming season, the goal remains the same: win an NBA championship.

Led by Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers will be considered in that group of contenders should they see a clean bill of health. While Edgecombe, McCain, Justin Edwards, and others will see time, those youngsters will need to make an impact right away. Especially, when considering they will need to help this team contend for a title.

“I feel like we can be impactful in any way possible,” Edgecombe added. “We all bring different aspects of the game. Jared’s a good shooter. Johni (Broome) can make decisions really well. (Adem) Bona–an elite shot blocker. So, like I said, we all contribute in different parts of the game. Justin is another elite shooter. Another elite player, so we’re just gonna try our best to impact the game. Help Max, help PG, help Embiid. Help everybody out and just try to win at all times.”

McCain was able to get 23 games worth of NBA experience as a rookie and knows what the league is like for younger players. He sees a group ready to compete and give the Sixers a lot of production.

 “Yeah, it’s a young group, but we’re gonna bring a lot of energy,” McCain added. “I know we’re all excited to just get our chance to play.”