The Philadelphia 76ers are already getting a look at several of their players in live action as the offseason winds down, with a handful of names turning up at Rico Hines’ annual runs at UCLA.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that V.J. Edgecombe, Labaron Philon, Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow and Caleb Love were all on the floor together on the first day of the sessions.
They were matched up against a group that included Luka Garza, Daeqwon Plowden and J. Juzang.
Hines, a longtime assistant on the Sixers’ staff, has turned these runs into a regular part of Philadelphia’s offseason routine over the years.
For Edgecombe, the gym work is just the latest stop in a busy summer. The rookie guard is coming off a strong first NBA season, one in which he averaged 16 points and 4.2 assists. He also logged on-court time earlier in the offseason with the Bahamian National Team during FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in early July.
Bona and Barlow were also part of the mix after each earned a meaningful role in Nick Nurse’s system during the season.
Love’s presence is notable as well. The 24-year-old joined Philadelphia on a two-way contract after spending his rookie year with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he averaged 10.4 points and 2.5 assists while shooting 38.8 percent from the field.
The group was getting work against some NBA-caliber competition, too. Garza is currently with the Boston Celtics, while Plowden, who is from Philadelphia, and Juzang were also in the gym.
With preseason camp drawing closer, the Sixers are getting some valuable run in before the real work begins.
In Other News...
76ers Final Roster Spot Suddenly Carries A Familiar Twist
Philadelphias offseason makeover has already delivered two eye-catching additions, with LeBron James on a two-year contract and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope arriving on a one-year deal after his buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies. Even after those moves, the 76ers still have one roster spot left to sort out, and the decision is starting to feel a little more like a storyline than a routine depth move.
One name floating into the conversation adds a familiar layer to the picture, because this would not be the first time the franchise has had to weigh fit, history and upside all at once. The player in question is trying to work his way back after a year away from basketball, and he would be open to taking on a bench role in a point-center setup if the door opens in Philadelphia. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Simmons And The Sixers Rumors Just Got Real Again
Ben Simmons is back in the conversation around Philadelphia in a way that would have felt far-fetched not long ago. Reports say he has worked his way back toward his old athleticism and has drawn invitations from multiple teams to come to training camp, which has naturally put the 76ers back on the radar as a possible landing spot. With a roster opening already available, Philadelphia at least has the flexibility to explore a reunion if the fit and the timing line up.
The intrigue only grows because the Sixers could also make room for another addition by moving on from someone already on the roster, giving them a little more breathing room if they decide Simmons is worth revisiting. There has been interest on both sides in the idea of getting back together, even if nothing official is in place yet. For a franchise that knows exactly how high the ceiling can be when Simmons is right, the possibility is real enough to keep watching. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Maxey Just Added To The Buzz Around Jaylen Brown In Philly
Tyrese Maxey did his part to keep the offseason conversation around Jaylen Brown alive in Philadelphia, offering support for the Boston stars community involvement in the city. With the 76ers having already added both LeBron James in free agency and Brown in a trade this summer, theres plenty of intrigue around how the roster is taking shape and how the new pieces are being received before the games even start.
Maxeys comments add another layer to the buzz, especially as the 76ers wait for the release of their 2026-27 schedule later this week. Between the high-profile arrivals and the growing attention around Browns fit off the court, Philadelphia has managed to stay in the center of the leagues offseason conversation even before the calendar flips to the next season. [Read more 🡒]