While the 2025 NBA Playoffs is already nearing its most climactic phase, the Philadelphia 76ers — part of the idle audience — cannot afford to get too mesmerized with all the hardwood action as they have something else much more important to look forward to.
The draft lottery is only less than two weeks away. Soon enough, the 76ers will finally get to know what their fate would look like in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, which will be paraded by a pretty deep and talented pool of incoming rookies.
As things currently stand, the 76ers possess the fifth-best odds to snag the first overall pick, which is widely reckoned to be Duke standout Cooper Flagg. But aside from Flagg, the 2025 draft class touts a huge selection of potential future All-Stars and huge swingers, giving Philly an ample choice in how they would like to lay down the foundation of the roster for the future.
Having said that, as everyone knows, the 76ers will only get to keep their pick if it lands in the top-six. Otherwise, it will head to the Thunder. Yet even if Philadelphia does get to retain its own selection, their call come the day of the draft will be far from easy.
The 76ers face a huge dilemma if they get the second overall pick
Cooper Flagg will be the foremost pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Teams should not — and probably will not — overthink this one. But beyond that, projections remain more varied.
However, should the 76ers somehow get the second overall pick through the lottery (which would be a huge feat already), a pretty tough choice awaits them.
Given its current state, Philadelphia cannot afford to be too picky in its selection, meaning that the best way to go about things is to simply pick the best player available. After Flagg, there is a strong case to be made that Dylan Harper is the next best available prospect.
The Rutgers product is a big combo guard who projects as a Cade Cunningham-type with his similar frame and skill set. Aside from Flagg, he is perhaps the most NBA-ready prospect, making him an ideal player to zoom in on for the 76ers if they snag pick No. 2.
However, if that happens, there could be an interesting situation with respect to the backcourt. Philly already has Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain in the backcourt, and Quentin Grimes is also someone the team is looking to retain this summer. Adding Harper to the loop could result into a serious logjam that needs urgent streamlining.
Parting with Harper himself would be untenable given the team’s already-shortsighted roster design. That leaves the 76ers with trading either Maxey or McCain which would be unpleasant either way.
Yet despite that potential dilemma, the Philadelphia 76ers are constrained to picking the best player available for them. That will be the case wherever they pick from, and given their current state, it is only prudent.