76ers have a golden opportunity to improve with overlooked draft asset

If there’s one team-building aspect that the Philadelphia 76ers have excelled at during Daryl Morey’s tenure as President of Basketball Operations, it’s finding diamonds in the rough. With the 35th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the 76ers can add another steal of a player to their decorated collection. There are three second-round targets that Philadelphia should be interested in when it's on the clock on June 26th. 

1. Drake Powell

While he’s expected to be drafted sooner, Drake Powell is the perfect candidate for the 76ers to snag if he falls to the 35th pick. In his lone season with the North Carolina Tar Heels, he displayed potential as a 19-year-old two-way forward – starting in 24 of his 37 contests. Powell notched 7.4 points per game on 58.1% true-shooting and 3.4 rebounds per game. At the NBA Draft Combine, he measured in at 6’ 5 barefoot and 200 pounds while finishing first out of 79 participants in maximum vertical leap at 43 inches and standing vertical leap with 37.5 inches. 

Powell is a versatile defender who can guard positions one through three with great agility and length. He’s also known for his defensive IQ, which is most apparent when reading passing lanes and helping on the weak-side. Powell’s physical tools and defensive prowess scream NBA-ready and his offense isn’t too far behind. He’s a sound spot-up threat – making 40.5% of his catch-and-shoot threes this past season. Powell has shown flashes of off-the-dribble scoring and connective passing, but will need to expand his repertoire heading into the league.

2. Ryan Kalkbrenner

If you’re looking for front-court depth, look no further than center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who’s a more realistic player in Philadelphia’s range. He spent five seasons with the Creighton Bluejays and averaged 19.2 points per game on 68.4% true-shooting, 8.7 rebounds per game, and 2.7 blocks per game. He was listed at approximately 7’ 1 without shoes and 252 pounds at the combine and also ranked second amongst all participants in wingspan at 7’ 6 in the combine.

Kalkbrenner is a polished center with an ample feel for the game. He’s an efficient at-rim finisher and excels in pick-and-roll situations whether it be cutting to the basket or making a short-roll pass. Kalkbrenner shot 34.4% from deep on 1.7 nightly attempts, but there’s reason to believe he has room to grow as a floor-spacing big. He’s an elite shot-blocker who thrives in drop coverage – winning the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in four of his five collegiate seasons. He and Adem Bona would be an intriguing front-court tandem to back up Joel Embiid.

3. Adou Thiero

If the 76ers boost their back-court with V.J. Edgecombe, they’ll need to fill out the roster with more athletic, versatile forwards and Adou Thiero fits the bill. The 20-year-old spent his first two college seasons as a Kentucky Wildcat before transferring to the Arkansas Razorbacks in his final campaign. This season, he posted 15.1 points per game on 60.5% true-shooting and 5.8 rebounds per game. His combine measurements revealed that he’s 6’ 6 barefoot and 218 pounds while ranking second amongst guards in wingspan at 7’ 0.

Thiero is more of a project, but if he pans out, the 76ers may have a taller Lu Dort on their hands. He’s an overwhelming defender who can defend a variety of positions due to his size and strength as well as force turnovers defending with stellar off-ball instincts, despite occasional gambling. Offensively, Thiero is an aggressive line-driver, but he’ll need to improve as a shot creator and perimeter shooter for his game to translate. At 25.6% from downtown this season, Thiero is a raw prospect and his NBA impact will go as far as his offense takes him.