Throughout the past week, the notion that the 2025 NBA Draft will truly commence when the Philadelphia 76ers are on the clock with the third overall pick has spread across social media. What’s more, this idea couldn’t be more truthful as the Dallas Mavericks will likely select Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick, and Dylan Harper is probably heading to the San Antonio Spurs with the next selection. With those two off the board, there’s no clear path forward for the 76ers, and the latest reports from Jake Fischer on The Stein Line only add to the suspense.
The 76ers want to keep their pick
As it stands, Philadelphia doesn’t seem to be entirely dedicated to prospects such as Ace Bailey or V.J. Edgecombe. This along with Daryl Morey’s past big name hunting tendencies has caused speculation that the 76ers could be interested in trading the third overall pick to acquire a win-now player and a lower-tier lottery selection. Morey has repeatedly gone on record to state that Philadelphia aims to keep its pick, but as always, what executives say should always be taken with a grain of salt.
"League sources tell The Stein Line that the Sixers are expected to at least listen to trade-down opportunities,” Fischer said. “But, likewise, stress that they are not expected to trade out of the pick entirely. Sources say Philadelphia greatly values the opportunity to add a young player to its core, which already features 24-year-old Tyrese Maxey and soon-to-be-second-year guard Jared McCain to complement the veteran duo of Joel Embiid and Paul George."
The 76ers’ front office is wise to value an opportunity for them to add another pivotal player to their emerging young core. Whether it’s Bailey, Edgecombe, or someone else, Philadelphia potentially extending its competitive window with a core that could last for years is critical. It’s unknown whether Joel Embiid will return to the dominance we’ve grown accustomed to witnessing throughout the years, which makes this third overall pick that much more valuable.
Paul George is here to stay
With such uncertainty looming over Philadelphia’s long-term future, it’s easy to get caught up in hypotheticals. However, the second part of Fischer’s 76ers spiel will surely bring fans back to the present day, whether that’s necessarily a good thing.
“Don't expect that duo, furthermore, to be broken up,” Fischer said. “Sources say that recent reports suggesting that the Sixers will be looking to explore George's trade market in conjunction with the draft are a misread.. It has been whispered often in league circles, going back to Philadelphia's free agency courtship of George last summer, that the Sixers would not turn around and try to move their marquee acquisition in the early stages of his Philly tenure unless George asked for a deal himself.”
This isn’t the first time that the 76ers have expressed loyalty to their untested tandem of Embiid, Maxey, and George, as Morey has publicly stated a similar sentiment. While Philadelphia’s reluctance to end the George experiment may frustrate some due to its disastrous 2024-25 campaign, it is doing the right thing by sitting tight. As previously mentioned, none of us knows if Embiid will return to a Most Valuable Player level, so why waste a chance to acquire a potential franchise cornerstone with the third overall pick?
Prior reports about teams speculating that the 76ers could be interested in pairing George and the third overall pick for players such as Kevin Durant or Lauri Markkanen are false. The thought of Philadelphia trading such an invaluable pick for either player mentioned in a desperate win-now move is simply ludicrous. In either deal, the 76ers likely wouldn’t receive a lottery pick in return, especially with how tough of an executive Danny Ainge is and Markkanen isn’t moving the needle in a world without Embiid.
Granted, we’re still over a month away from draft night, and much can change from now to then, considering the chaotic nature of NBA offseasons. Still, Philadelphia should remain intent on keeping its pick, but it would be wise to listen to any offers that could potentially come about, especially if it can retain a lottery pick in a hypothetical trade-down deal. A Cam Johnson trade from the Brooklyn Nets or a Herb Jones framework from the New Orleans Pelicans are deals that the 76ers should consider doing if the opportunity presents itself.