The Philadelphia 76ers are facing a familiar challenge: bench scoring. It's been a persistent issue, and while it’s not new, it remains a significant concern.
The team needs to find a way to balance the firepower of their starting lineup with the scoring needs of their second unit. A potential solution?
A lineup shift that could inject some much-needed energy into their bench.
Enter the idea of moving VJ Edgecombe to the bench. Now, some might think it’s too late in the season for coach Nick Nurse to make such a bold move.
But with the depth in their starting lineup, the 76ers can afford to redistribute their scoring punch. Swapping Edgecombe for Quentin Grimes could be the key.
Grimes has struggled to assert himself as a primary option off the bench, and this adjustment might just be what both players need.
Edgecombe, in his rookie season, is averaging over 16 points per game with league-average shooting splits. That’s impressive for a first-year player. He’s shown he can take over scoring duties in bursts, and moving him to the bench could give him the freedom to create and lead the second unit.
The starting lineup is already stacked with players capable of dropping 25 points on any night. But with the bench ranking fifth-lowest in scoring across the league, there’s a strong case for spreading out that offensive talent. The 76ers have depth, but they need more scoring from their reserves.
While some might question benching Edgecombe, given he’s been a starter all season, the presence of Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey means there’s less pressure on Edgecombe to carry the scoring load. Off the bench, he can explore his game more freely, and it allows the coaching staff to manage the minutes of their core players more effectively.
This move might not be an immediate priority, but if the bench continues to underperform, the 76ers shouldn’t shy away from making this strategic adjustment. It could be the catalyst they need to solidify their rotation and make a deeper run.