The Philadelphia 76ers are now a little under a month away from making a potentially franchise-defining move in the 2025 NBA Draft. In possession of the third overall pickall pick, the team has a huge chance to snag a potential All-Star as this year’s crop of rookies is widely believed to be among the most talent-laden ones in recent memory.
A bunch of options await the 76ers thank to their lucky turnout after the lottery, but for now, most mock drafts have them deciding between two names: Rutgers standout Ace Bailey and Baylor star VJ Edgecombe. Those two prospects have solidified their spot after Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, but their mutually strong cases will inarguably give Philly a difficult reckoning come June 25.
However, there is one way for the 76ers to rid themselves of such headache — by choosing not to exercise their right to pick third. Fans are certainly dreading this scenario, and for good reason, as the team has too nebulous of a footing as constructed to pursue yet another win-now escapade.
If you’re on the trade-the-pick crowd, though, this latest spill could be music to your ears.
Latest 76ers trade rumors point to scenario actually not dreaded by fans
According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the 76ers are intent on adding a young talent in the draft, although a trade is not out of the woods.
”If there is a trade in Philadelphia's future involving the No. 3 pick in the draft, don't expect the 76ers to move down very far on the 2025 draft board. League sources maintain that the Sixers are determined to add a dynamic young talent to their core after the tremendous fortune they enjoyed in the May 12 draft lottery.”
As can be gleaned from this reliable information, fans can now rest easy as the front office is now unlikely to move out from the draft. Given their posturing, the 76ers could perhaps trade down a few spots for the right offer, but that’s about it on the trade aspect of their draft night.
All things considered, this is the best way for the franchise to balance out its need to heed to desperate calls for meaningful success while doing the necessary prep-work to solidify its future, especially with some of their core players already on the wrong side of 30.
If the right star comes along, the 76ers should conduct more than just due diligence as long as it does not involve them moving out of an otherwise highly-touted iteration of the draft.
For now, though, such a trade will be difficult to come around for the Philadelphia 76ers. As a result, their focus should be on retaining their pick, while keeping their phone lines open before or during the draft.