Brooklyn needs to do whatever it takes to draft VJ Edgecomb. There are certain moments in a franchise’s timeline where hesitation can cost years of progress. For the Brooklyn Nets, the 2025 NBA Draft is one of those moments. Their answer to future success is standing in plain view, 6-foot-5 with elite two-way potential and a relentless motor. Edgecombe is not just any other athletic wing. He is a rare type of guard who brings explosiveness and defensive intensity all in one package.
Although he is just 6'5", he plays way bigger than that, and has the kind of bounce and speed that puts him near the top of the league right now in terms of pure athleticism. During his time this past season at Baylor, he averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game for the Bears, while showcasing the kind of defensive instincts and hustle that just does not show up on highlight reels but absolutely wins games.
He seriously is a guy that can do it all. Do you need a switchable perimeter defender? He is your guy. Need someone who will fight over screens on every possession, track passing lanes, and still block shots as a guard? All signs point to Edgecombe.
Offense with untapped upside
Offensively, Edgecombe is absolutely way more than capable. He is a solid shooter off the catch, he is not ball-dominant, and he makes smart decisions. Not only can he shoot the rock but he has the ability to get into the paint and to the line often as he is great at finishing through contact. The skills he has to move without the ball are better than most players his age.
Of course there are always some weaknesses to some players, things they have to work on. For Edgecomb he sometimes struggles to keep his handle on the ball, and he is not a true shot-creator in isolation yet. But that is what development is for. The important part? His tools and instincts are NBA-ready now, and his ceiling is much higher than people think.
The cost of waiting
Make no mistake Brooklyn. He 100 percent will not be there at the 8th spot when Brooklyn makes their selection in the upcoming draft. The top two picks are already locked in with those being Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper. But that No. 3 pick? That is where the door cracks open and right now the Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly looking to kick it in and grab Edgecombe themselves.
If Brooklyn wants him, they will have no choice but to be aggressive. That means moving up. Packaging picks. Making uncomfortable decisions. But listen, that is how winning organizations are built. They take calculated risks when the opportunity is there. At the end of the day, Brooklyn should not be willing to settle for leftovers. It is time for them to make the call and draft the future.