Thanks to the Philadelphia 76ers managing to get lucky in the lottery, they will be picking third in the much awaited 2025 NBA Draft, which is widely reckoned as one of the most jampacked iterations in recent years thanks to the quality and sheer abundance of talent among the incoming pool of rookie hopefuls.
Now armed with a top-three selection, the 76ers now have a defining asset to capitalize on this summer in order to improve the roster after a bottom-five finish in the standings this season. Yet even with the possible variance of outcomes, given how good this burgeoning draft class is, there is little possibility that Philly ends up with a dud.
In fact, Philadelphia’s brass had seemingly already pinpointed some prospects on their wishlist. But thanks to an inevitable draft dilemma dawning upon a fellow lottery team, the 76ers seem poised to ace the draft no matter what happens.
Spurs draft dilemma guarantees draft success for the 76ers
Cooper Flagg will be the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and will be heading to the Dallas Mavericks which, by virtue of unprecedented kismet, snagged the top prize despite touting just the 11th-best odds to land the foremost selection.
The Spurs, by way of another bending of the lottery odds, are the other team selecting above the 76ers. However, given San Antonio’s roster construction, there could be a dilemma among its decision-makers about which player they should pick. And from the likes of it, they will be choosing between Rutgers standouts Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
The 76ers have already hinted at being content with either of those players going to them, left unpicked by the Spurs. No matter what happens, Philly stands to benefit greatly, as both prospects profile as tremendous ceiling-raisers.
Sixers Head Coach Nick Nurse on having pick number three with @MikeGillShow on @973espn.
— Nick Earnshaw (@nearnshawradio) May 13, 2025
“They all know who’s going number one and then we got one team that can pick one of the two other guys that we want so we have a couple and we’re in good shape.”
Due to its roster construction, San Antonio could find it a tad more sensible to draft Bailey, a forward, over Harper, a combo guard. After all, they already have De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell.
But if that franchise opts to go with the best talent available, which is believed to be Harper, the 76ers will be able to snag Bailey, who is a virtually perfect fit in Philly as he plays a position of need.
Clearly, the Philadelphia 76ers cannot possibly lose on draft night unless they exhibit shortsightedness and make a needless swap, either for an established player or to move back in the draft. The front office can literally just wait and see while still ending up as huge winners come June 25.