In this continuing series, Sixers Wire looks at the 16 players, per Sportrac, that comprise the Philadelphia 76ers roster — 13 under standard contracts and the three players on two-way deals — and gives each three goals for the 2025-26 season. Of course, there is a certain restricted free agent that will be included as well.

The new season begins on Oct. 22, and training camp is right around the corner. Now is the time to begin previewing the new season of adventure that is Sixers basketball.

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Up next in this series is rookie VJ Edgecombe who was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. The Sixers were able to land the Baylor star following a miserable 24-58 season as they added a young talent to their core of supporting players around their star trio.

For Edgecombe, his three goals are as follows:

Use his speed to make a difference

The Sixers got younger in this offseason. After focusing on older, veteran players in the 2024-25 season, the franchise decided to go in another direction and bring in younger pieces. Therefore, it appears they want to play faster and get up and down the floor. That is where Edgecombe has to come in and produce in that department. He showed off his breakneck speed a bit in college while at Baylor and he showed it in the two summer league games he was able to play in. He and Tyrese Maxey have to play fast and get out on the break.

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Develop a 3-point shot

Edgecombe is so quick that he is able to get past most defenders in order to get to the basket for easy points. However, if he were to add a consistent 3-point shot? That would make his game that much more dynamic and would also make defenders think twice about leaving him open. That would then allow him to attack hard closeouts and make defenses adjust to what he is doing out on the floor. The Sixers need to help him hone his shooting form and continue to push forward in that department.

Be a defensive menace

Edgecombe was terrific as a perimeter defender with the Bears in college as he averaged 2.1 steals per game. If he can take that production and bring it with him to the league, then he would be in a great position to help the Sixers right away. He probably won’t start initially as coach Nick Nurse would like to see what he has in a Maxey-Jared McCain-Quentin Grimes (maybe) guard trio, but when Edgecombe gets his minutes, he has to be terrific on defense and give Philadelphia a faster guard on both ends of the floor.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers 3 goals: VJ Edgecombe has to make a difference with his speed