The 2025 NBA Draft figures to be an eventful one for the league, especially the Philadelphia 76ers. As soon as the franchise got lucky during the lottery and obtained the third overall pick for itself, the team has become a hotspot for rumors, especially involving draft day trades.
So far, the front office has sent mixed signals about their disposition approaching the draft, but most signs indicate that they would prefer to exercise their pick themselves to acquire an elite prospect whom they can develop to be a franchise cornerstone for the future while also helping them bolster their winning cause as soon as next season.
Yet with each passing day, it becomes more apparent that the 76ers will be seriously considering making a draft night trade themselves. Having said that, not all trade scenarios necessarily involve them having to trade their third overall pick. In fact, there could actually be room for them to add another lottery pick this year.
Here’s how.
76ers could trade for another lottery pick as Spurs contemplate their next move
One of the only teams picking ahead of Philadelphia, San Antonio, possesses not only pick No. 2, but also the 14th overall pick thanks to Atlanta. However, many are already expecting the Spurs to consider packaging that pick for more win-now help, especially with Victor Wembanyama already looking like an MVP-caliber player in his sophomore campaign, although it was cut short.
If so, the 76ers could perhaps knock on the Spurs’ door for a potential sign-and-trade scenario with Guerschon Yabusele and future draft capital heading to San Antonio and the 14th overall pick getting transmitte to Philly.
Yabusele, who may be a tough one to keep for the 76ers given their financial restraints, would be a perfect fit with the Spurs. Aside from the fact that he was Wemby’s running mate during the Olympics, he is a versatile frontcourt who can solve San Antonio’s lack of size outside of the French phenom while adding defensive tenacity and basketball IQ to the young squad.
While Philly may need to part with one of their future draft picks, most of their future first-rounders from other teams are not expected to be sterling ones anyway, and consolidating some of them could be more than enough to lurethe Spurs into biting.
Most fans and pundits have the Philadelphia 76ers possibly doubling down on their resolve to win now, but in this case, adding another lottery pick could just be the move the franchise needs to make a more seamless transition into being a sustainable winner in the long run.