76ers could soon run out of reasons to keep this player off the trade block

The Philadelphia 76ers are going all-out for their championship bid next season, a missive only fortified by the infusion of high-end star power and veteran presence they brought in this summer. As such, that puts some of the younger players on a pressure blender. Case in point? Look no further than Justin Edwards, who could very well end up being an obvious trade chip if he continues to struggle in the upcoming campaign.

This past season, Edwards saw his role get drastically reduced compared to his rookie season. To be fair, he had an inflated role during his freshman campaign due to all the injuries on the team, but his sophomore year was nowhere near as good as his first one. He struggled with his shot for most of the year, and he offered little elsewhere to convince the coaching staff that he deserved to continue getting regular minutes.

The 76ers could put Justin Edwards on the trade block if he continues to struggle in Year 3

Edwards was in and out of the rotation last season, and it is easy to see why. He averaged just six points a night, and while he did drain 37.2 percent of his three-point tries, his shooting clip only improved thanks to a hot stretch late in the regular season. For the most part, he was not a dependable shooter from beyond the arc.

The incoming third year forward will be making just $2.4 million next season, and his contract includes a team option for 2027-28. As such, his deal has the makings of a good trade chip since there is some roster control therein.

His path to getting more court time this coming season remains quite hazy. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dean Wade signing with Philly, Edwards will have direct competition for a consistent spot in the rotation. If he fails to impress right from training camp, Nick Nurse will not feel the need to actively squeeze him into his regular lineups.

The 76ers do need more bodies at the forward position, which opens a bigger window for Edwards to mount a good audition piece. The front office seems to still be invested in his growth, so hopefully, he can repay the team with a strong performance in Year 3.

Justin Edwards was one of the most promising freshmen in the league just recently, so a sophomore slump should not be enough to negate everything that he has done so far. Still, as one of the more unproven cogs on the 76ers roster, he will definitely be fighting for his life, lest he could see himself donning different colorways before the trade deadline.