The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery has officially concluded, and Philadelphia 76ers fans were pleased to see their team draw a highly favorable result. After the Sixers' pick landed at third, they will avoid forfeiting the pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder and will be able to retain their own lottery selection. With this result and now that they own a top-six pick, Philadelphia will have the opportunity to trade this selection to a team desperate for young talent in order to acquire a more established player.
This was nearly a disastrous outcome for the 76ers. Had they missed out on getting their lottery selection, it would be a truly sad story considering how this past season unfolded. Nearly everything that could have gone wrong for Philly went wrong.
After signing Paul George away from the Los Angeles Clippers, Sixers fans were thrilled at what was shaping up to be one of the top rosters in the Eastern Conference. After you threw in Jared McCain, the 76ers were looking like a true challenger for the Boston Celtics.
But injuries decimated Philadelphia, and what could have been a dream season quickly turned into a nightmare. The Sixers were desperately in need of some help from the ping pong balls, and now they've gotten it.
The Sixers' third overall selection is highly favorable
We also can't ignore the fact that with Cooper Flagg now going to the Dallas Mavericks, and the Western Conference, that's even more of a break for Philadelphia. The Sixers now have a wonderful opportunity on their hands.
Could the 76ers keep their third pick and use it to select a highly talented young prospect? Sure. Any one of Dylan Harper, V.J. Edgecombe, Ace Bailey or Tre Johnson could potentially be there when the third pick rolls around. But although any of those guys would undoubtedly be great in a Sixers uniform, there's the bigger picture to think about.
Philadelphia needs to win now, while building for the future is put on the backburner. And frankly, the 76ers already have several promising young talents, especially with Quentin Grimes breaking out the way he did this past season.
The Sixers should be focusing on seeking out a trade partner and sending this third overall pick to the highest bidder. If they can get another solid rotational player to put alongside Paul George, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and company, that's just about the best result they could've asked for outside of landing the top pick.