The Philadelphia 76ers were widely lauded for making the choice to select VJ Edgecombe in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, it was not always an easy choice for the front office, especially since a lot of draft heads were pretty high on then-Rutgers star Ace Bailey, who ended up getting selected by Utah at No. 5.
Philly initially signaled that it would strongly consider drafting Bailey. However, the rangy forward’s camp itself reportedly implored the 76ers not to select him in the draft. Coupled with some more histrionics from his party that ultimately ended up striking a lot of nerves, Daryl Morey, Elton Brand, and company made the safer choice in Edgecombe.