Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George offered a strong endorsement of VJ Edgecombe during a recent episode of Podcast P, presented by Wave Original, while also voicing concern over Ace Bailey’s pre-draft behavior.
George addressed the speculation surrounding the 76ers’ No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and the recent cancellation of a scheduled workout by Bailey.
“If I’m Ace Bailey, I can’t get mad if my stock drops,” George said. “He’s canceled all workouts and hasn’t worked out for any team… but you’re not in a position to be making those demands. Make it to the league first.”
Bailey’s decision to skip all pre-draft workouts has drawn criticism across the league. His representatives have not provided a clear explanation, though sources say his father, Omar Cooper—who is not a certified agent—is controlling communications. Despite this, Philadelphia reportedly remains interested in Bailey.
George, however, appeared more enthusiastic about Edgecombe’s NBA outlook and potential fit in Philadelphia.
“I like VJ. I thought he showed tremendous upside when he played with the Bahamas,” George said. “He stood out… dunking on them, blowing by them, making impact. He’s an impactful player.”
Edgecombe, a 6-foot-5 freshman guard out of Baylor, averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 33 games. He shot 43.6% from the field and 34.0% from three.
“To me, I think he’s kind of like Jimmy Butler,” George added. “Just a dog who plays hard on both ends and just has that toughness about him.”
The 76ers are evaluating multiple options with their highest pick since 2017. They finished 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 24–58 record and are aiming to add youth around Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and George himself.
Edgecombe has risen steadily on draft boards following strong showings with the Bahamian national team and a productive freshman season. George believes the guard could go “at 3 or 4,” signaling confidence in his NBA readiness.
Philadelphia’s decision at No. 3 could hinge on their comfort level with Bailey’s off-court representation versus Edgecombe’s two-way versatility and approach.
The 2025 NBA Draft begins tonight in Brooklyn.
