Justin Edwards’ basketball journey over the last two years has been full of ups and downs, but it now appears he’s found solid ground in the NBA. After an encouraging rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Edwards has earned a new three-year deal, giving him both financial security and a long-term spot in the league.
Coming out of high school, Edwards was highly touted and even projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft before he began his college career with the Kentucky Wildcats. Despite that early hype, his lone season at Kentucky didn’t go as planned. Edwards struggled with consistency and was unable to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him. As a result, he surprisingly went undrafted, which was a major setback for the former top-five recruit.
However, Edwards didn’t let that disappointment define his career. The Philadelphia 76ers offered him a two-way contract, giving him a chance to prove himself at the professional level. Edwards took full advantage of the opportunity, working hard and making the most of every minute he got on the floor.
By February of his rookie season, his performance had been strong enough that the Sixers decided to convert his two-way deal into a standard NBA contract. That was the first sign that the organization saw long-term potential in him. Now, according to reports from NBA insider Shams Charania, the 76ers have rewarded Edwards with a new three-year contract. The deal will bump his salary to $2 million for the upcoming season, and the first two years are fully guaranteed. In total, Edwards is now set to earn over $4 million over the next two seasons, with additional earnings possible in the third year.
Statistically, Edwards put together a very respectable rookie campaign. Over 44 games, including 26 starts, he averaged 10.1 points per game while shooting 45.5% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. He also contributed 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest while playing 26.3 minutes a night. Notably, he closed the season on a high note. In April, his numbers climbed to 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, showing clear improvement and growing confidence.
With his new contract in place and continued development on the court, Edwards seems poised for an exciting NBA future.
