The Philadelphia Sixers revealed that they're sending Jared McCain to represent the organization at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery on Monday, May 12. Fans hope his positivity and good vibes will result in the Sixers drafting Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in June.
Philadelphia finished with the fifth-worst record in the league, but will owe OKC the pick if it falls outside the top six because of the Al Horford trade. The Sixers have a 63.9 percent chance of retaining the pick, a 53.4 percent chance of it falling between two and six, and a 10.5 percent chance of it being No. 1.
The Sixers made the right choice to send McCain for more than one reason. He'll help channel the good energy Philadelphia so desperately needs, but there's more to it than that. He has a special connection with Flagg. Like the future No. 1 pick, McCain was a one-and-done at Duke. They didn't play together, but hopefully, "The Brotherhood" will come up big for the Sixers.
Jared McCain has Duke connection with Cooper Flagg
Philadelphia fans endured a disastrous 2024-25 season, and the one thing that'd make the pain worth it would be winning the lottery. Flagg is worth the hype. He's a generational player who will change the outlook of whichever organization he ends up with.
The Jazz (14 percent), Wizards (14 percent), Hornets (14 percent), and Pelicans (12.5 percent) have higher odds than the Sixers to get Flagg. The Nets (nine percent), Raptors (7.5 percent), Spurs (overall 6.7 percent), Rockets (3.8 percent), Trail Blazers (3.7 percent), Mavericks (1.8 percent), Bulls (1.7 percent), and the Kings (0.8 percent) round out the lottery. The Hawks owe their pick to the Spurs.
The past few months have consisted of fans dreaming about Philly winning the lottery. It'd be fitting for McCain, one of the fan base's lone sources of joy before he got hurt, to be the one to help that dream come alive. Having two former Duke stars in the starting lineup next season sounds nice.
May the odds be in Jared and the Sixers' favor. If it happens, Philly fans promise to root for Duke for the rest of their lives. Even if you hate Duke, go along with it. Flagg's play will change your mind.