76ers Prioritize Defense, Intensity, And Physicality In 2025 Draft

The Philadelphia 76ers have drafted to compete in 2025.

After a disappointing 2024-25 season from the 76ers, one that included long-term injuries from nearly every star player on their roster, Philadelphia is running it back for 2025-26. Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey are going to get at least one more season to attempt to win an NBA title.

Daryl Morey and the 76ers front office confirmed this by not trading away George to get off the remaining three years of his $52 million a year contract. Because of this move, the 76ers went into the 2025 NBA draft looking for players who could help them make an impact and win right away. While project players and young prospects weren’t off the table, the 76ers went into the draft with the mindset to create the best possible team for its veteran and young stars.

They started things off with one of the best defensive players in the draft in shooting guard V. J. Edgecombe. Edgecombe played one season for Baylor University after being ranked as the fifth-best player in the class of 2024. In his sole season with the Bears, Edgecombe averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals a game, while leading Baylor to a nine seed in the NCAA tournament.

Defense is a second thought in today’s NBA, and teams that play fantastic defense tend to be on the better end of the league standings. The 76ers ranked in the bottom five in the league in team defensive rating, and it showed all season despite the injuries.

The 76ers’ backcourt consists of Maxey and last year’s first-round pick, Jared McCain, two smaller guards for NBA standards. Quentin Grimes, a restricted free agent who is expected to resign with the 76ers, is smaller than Edgecombe, so the newest member of the 76ers brings some much-needed height. His play style is a perfect match for a guard like Maxey, someone who helps on defense but can offer his services on the offensive end.

Edgecombe can also create his shot when needed. He’ll likely not be a 20+ point per game scorer in the NBA, but he can still score when needed. He gets comparisons to Victor Oladipo and a better defensive Dwayne Wade and Jimmy Butler. Edgecombe is still young, only 19 years old, but he has all the physical traits of a great NBA player.

In round two, Philadelphia targeted a player who should play right away and potentially fill the void of pending free agent power forward Guerschon Yabusele. They selected Johni Broome, a power forward out of Auburn University

This past year saw Broome dominate college basketball, as he led the Auburn Tigers to a Final Four appearance and averaged 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game. In his three years with the Tigers 16.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game, and shot 52.7% from the field.

Broome can be described as a very physical player and can produce from multiple spots on the floor. While he has shown flashes of great play, he comes with many downsides. Broome is on the older end of draft picks as he’ll be 23 when the regular season begins. His defense is a liability, lacks athleticism, and isn’t the best three-point shooter.

The only way he can improve those skills is with playing time, and with the 76ers already in a tight spot with money, Broome may get it this season. Yabusele may reach a price that’s too high for Philadelphia, which would slot Broome into his spot on the bench.

Both rookies are expected to play and impact the team right away, something the 76ers lacked the previous year. If health can go Philadelphia’s way in 2025, they have a real shot at making a run in a weak Eastern Conference.

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