NBA draft news: VJ Edgecombe emotional after being drafted by Sixers; tracking the latest trades and picks

You only had to listen to VJ Edgecombe talk to understand why he is so much more than the consolation prize at a Tricky Tray raffle.

Sure, you’ve seen the YouTube videos of him leaping above the rim as if the baseline was made of blubber. You’ve read the scouting reports that use words like “electric” and “explosive” and other combustible adjectives when describing him as the best athlete in the 2025 NBA draft. No doubt, you’ve heard about his high floor, as if he is a barrier island beach house on stilts.

Ignore all of those, for a moment.

VJ Edgecombe spent much of the 2025 NBA draft reflecting on his start in the Bahamas and thinking about how far he's come.

“Emotions are flying,” said the new Sixer, who was in tears after his named was called. “I came from a small island [Bimini, Bahamas]. It’s only seven miles long. So everybody knows everybody. It’s just literally a small island. It’s like a little rock. So me to make it out of there, man, means the world to me and I know it means the world to my Island.”

That was just one moment from what was an emotional night for Edgecombe. He also honored his family. He was decked out in all black.

The intersection of sports and fashion is always evolving, and draft outfits have become a hot topic over the last few decades. Overall, this year’s NBA draftees went the safe route with their green room outfits — the wardrobe even included four plain blue suits.

Themes of the night included sparkles, suit jackets lined with personal touches, and muted colors, but a few players strayed beyond the norm.

Here are some of the most memorable outfits:

"It's a blessing, it's a blessing," VJ Edgecombe said before becoming overcome with emotions as he spoke to longtime NBA veteran and TV analyst Dennis Scott.

Asked why he worked so hard to become an NBA player and eventually land with the Sixers as the No. 3 pick, Edgecombe discussed the conditions he lived in as a child in the Bahamas.

"We didn't have it all," he said. "I was living on a generator for seven years, long nights, sleeping without heat."

Ace Bailey didn't work out for any NBA teams, yet he landed with the Utah Jazz at No. 5.

There were rumors that he was trying to manufacture his own draft, with hopes of landing in Washington or New Orleans. Well, he didn't last that long.

He'll join a young roster that could use a dynamic forward after an up and down season. Lauri Markanen, Jordan Clarkson, and Collin Sexton will anchor the team along with Bailey.

At this point we've all seen the video of Rutgers star Ace Bailey running away from Sixers fans at a New York Mets game. In the video, the fans chanted "Sixers" and Bailey ran for the hills.

This comes after he canceled a scheduled meeting and workout for the Sixers and telegraphed his intentions to slide past Philly in the 2025 NBA draft.

So how do Sixers fans feel about Bailey's attempts to bypass the Sixers? Jack Levy, a North Jersey native whose dad grew up in Cherry Hill, said he doesn't want anyone who doesn't feel strongly about joining the team.

The NBA draft isn't just a night for basketball, it's also a night for fashion. And this year is looking to be no exception as some of the top picks have already started showing off their looks for tonight's first round.

Projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is keeping it simple, while Derik Queen is representing his home town.

Meanwhile Ace Bailey, who went from likely Sixers pick to unlikely after cancelling his workout with the team, rocked Rutgers colors and shouted out his family.

Up until Ace Bailey elected not to work out for the Sixers ahead of the draft, he was the consensus projected pick at No. 3.

But since then, Sixers fans have turned on him — and it seems like the Rutgers guard turned on them too. Bailey threw out the first pitch at Citi Field on Tuesday, and on his way back to his seat, one fan yelled “Come to the Sixers!” to Bailey from the stands.

Bailey appeared to take a step or two toward the fan, then spun right around and got out of there.

As is the case most years, the Philly area will be well represented at the NBA draft. Here's a look at a trio of players with ties to the area — whether they grew up here or just played here in high school or college — that could be selected in this year's draft ...

Rasheer Fleming

A lot can change in a year. Rasheer Fleming would know.

Longtime SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negandhi will be hosting the NBA draft tonight on ABC, but the Temple alum is especially focused on what the Sixers will do. 

Speaking to PHLY’s Anthony Gargano Wednesday afternoon, Negandhi outlined what he thinks would be the two best scenarios for the Sixers tonight, which starts with Philly taking Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick. 

“VJ Edgecombe is the most athletic type of player you can get. The best finisher in this draft, plays defense, understands concepts, great transition player if you run,” Negandhi said. “I think he would be fantastic next to Tyrese [Maxey]. Think of [Victor] Oladipo, think Dwayne Wade. 6-foot-5, can jump out of a gym, and understands playing defense.” 

While the Sixers currently have the No. 3 pick in tonight's NBA draft, there has been a lot of chatter about Philly trading down, potentially including Paul George in any deal.

"I don't know what Philadelphia is going to do here," Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix said on the most recent episode of the Bill Simmons Podcast. "Do they just sit on that draft pick and take it? Do they try to package it? Is Paul George in play? I've heard some of that over the last 24 hours or so, that they could be looking to do something there."

The big question is whether there's a team willing to take on the 35-year-old's maximum-salary contract, which still has three years and $162.3 million remaining. So far there's no reporting out there to indicate a team is interested in taking George in order to move up in the draft.

What would you do with the Sixers draft pick?

Last week we let you play fantasy GM to answer that question. Presuming consensus picks of Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper both go in spots one and two, here’s what you said.

Most Inquirer readers drafted VJ Edgecombe – who has 43% of the vote so far. Kon Knueppel is your second most selected pick with 22%, while one of the more discussed picks in Ace Bailey only received 17% of the vote.

At this point, just about all Sixers fans (including the governor of Pennsylvania) want the team to pass on drafting Rutgers' Ace Bailey after he canceled a workout with the team.

But what do members of the Sixers think?

Sixers forward Paul George weighed in on Bailey's approach in the most recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George, calling out the draft prospect for appearing to put himself before the needs of whichever team ends up selecting him.

Porzingis going to Hawks in a 3-team trade agreement

Kristaps Porzingis is being traded by the Boston Celtics to the Atlanta Hawks, and part of what will be a three-team deal gives the Brooklyn Nets another selection in Wednesday’s first round of the NBA draft, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement.

Porzingis is going to the Hawks, while Georges Niang and a second-round pick will be acquired by Boston, and Brooklyn will wind up with Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick that is held by Atlanta in Wednesday’s draft, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade isn’t expected to be finalized until the start of the new league year on July 6.

The 76ers head into opening night of the NBA draft with a variety of options.

Rutgers wing Ace Bailey — perhaps against his wishes — is one of their options to select with the No. 3 pick Wednesday at the Barclays Center. Meanwhile, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, a player who impressed the Sixers in his interview, feels he would fit in well with the organization.

Tre Johnson and Kon Knueppel could be other solid options. Johnson, a guard out of Texas, said he hasn’t had talks with the team since last month’s NBA draft combine. Duke’s Knueppel was scheduled to meet with the Sixers via Zoom. He might be a reach at No. 3. Meanwhile another Blue Devil, Khaman Maluach, would be a solid option if they trade down.

Should the Sixers trade down from No. 3, Texas sharpshooter Tre Johnson is a prime candidate in the next tier of prospects.

Johnson said Tuesday that he did not work out for the Sixers during the pre-draft process, and that his only conversation with the team was at last month’s combine. Johnson said his workouts were with the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets, who pick from fourth to eighth.

“They might have reached out to my agent,” Johnson said when The Inquirer asked about his contact with the Sixers. “ … other than that [combine interview], I don’t know too much about them.”

The Athletic: VJ Edgecombe, Baylor

“Daryl Morey cares about upside. It’s easy to sell Edgecombe having the most athletic upside of any player remaining on the board,” Sam Vecenie writes. He also thinks trading down is a possibility.

ESPN: VJ Edgecombe, Baylor

The NBA draft begins Wednesday, and for the second straight year it will be divided over two days.

The first round of the draft begins tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern, while the second round will take place on Thursday beginning at 8 p.m.

For the fifth straight year, fans will have their choice of watching the first round of draft on two different networks — ABC and ESPN.