Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards has played his way into a full-time NBA deal.
After joining the Sixers on a two-way contract this summer, Edwards will finish out the season on a standard contract with a team option for 2025-26, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
According to Pompey, both Edwards and the Sixers "are interested in exploring a longer-term deal in the offseason."
After joining the league as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky, Edwards has slotted into the Sixers' starting rotation over the team's last seven games.
Edwards played fewer than 10 minutes in four games while making sporadic starts for the Sixers in November and early January.
He first entered the rotation against the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 4 as the depleted Sixers looked to find replacements for injured players, including Joel Embiid, Jared McCain, Kelly Oubre Jr. and KJ Martin.
Edwards enjoyed a breakout game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 14, when he went 9-for-16 from the field to put up 25 points against one of the strongest defenses in the league.
That success, as well as the Sixers' myriad injuries, combined to earn Edwards the first start of his NBA career against the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 28.
In seven starts since then, Edwards has earned praise from Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Nick Nurse while recording more than 31 minutes per game. Over that span, he has averaged 10.3 points and contributed 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
The injuries that have plagued the Sixers this season have contributed to a 20-31 record that has left the team outside the play-in bubble after the trade deadline.
On the bright side, they have also opened up playing time for Edwards— and the Philadelphia native has used the opportunity to play his way into the rotation and a standard contract.
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