The Philadelphia 76ers sent a strong statement by selecting Baylor star VJ Edgecombe with the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but the franchise is far from finished adding to their pool of talents this year.
Thanks to the draft’s new two-day format, the second round of the annual event is yet to be commenced. Fortunately, thanks to the Mavericks, the 76ers get to pick again as they are currently in possession of the 35th overall pick.
Barring any moves, Philadelphia should be able to make the most out of their lone second-round draft pick. Due to this year’s abundance of quality prospects, the front office should be loaded with options when their turn to make their selection comes.
And for that, the 76ers receive a parting gift from a trade that keeps on giving.
The 76ers receive a final parting gift from the Mavericks as part of the Quentin Grimes trade
As everyone knows, the 76ers front office turned in one of the biggest heists before the trade deadline when they acquired Quentin Grimes from the Mavericks for Caleb Martin. But in addition, Dallas even sweetened the pot for Philly by sending them their second-round selection this year.
Due to the 76ers finishing with the fifth-worst record in the league, that pick turned out to be the 35th overall selection, which Daryl Morey and his crew can now exercise to address some of their most pressing needs on the roster.
This final detail from the Grimes trade only fortifies the notion that the 76ers indeed got the best out of the Mavericks in that deal. The 25-year-old alone was a massive get in exchange for Martin, but Philadelphia also touts strong chances of seeing their second-round selection flourish due to the amount of projected first-rounders who remain available for picking.
Clearly, the writing is on the wall for the 76ers to nail their only second-round selection. Dallas may not even flinch as they ultimately walked away with Cooper Flagg, but that does not change the fact that they gave up too much to acquire Martin, who has been a non-factor for them ever since.
The Philadelphia 76ers have ample optionality with their final draft pick this year. Hopefully, they capitalize on that opportunity to usher in a prospect who can potentially end up making the Mavericks regret their shortsighted trade even more, even if just a little.