June 25 is inching closer, meaning that the Philadelphia 76ers are already counting the days arduously ahead of a pivotal decision they have to make in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. For now, the franchise remains seated at the third overall selection, although the rumor mill continues to signal that the front office is looking to make a move.
Most scenarios have the 76ers ultimately trading their pick for more established talent, but that is certainly not a desired pathway for the team, at least from a fan’s viewpoint. After all, the roster does not really need any more infusion of win-now talent, especially at the expense of a high draft pick in a loaded class of incoming rookies.
In that respect, the more palatable option for Philly is to trade up. The first overall pick is obviously off-limits, but some pundits believe that the 76ers are actually still in play to pick second — a right currently slated to be exercised by the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs are crushing an ambitious plan hatched by the 76ers
Dylan Harper is the consensus second-best prospect in this year’s draft, and the league-wide belief is that San Antonio will simply pick him outright.
However, there were recent rumblings about the 76ers engaging with the Spurs on a trade-up scenario, thanks in large part to questions surrounding Harper’s fit in the Alamo City. Conjunctively, San Antonio is still in play for Kevin Durant, and landing him would certainly make them more amenable to a trade-down scenario.
Unfortunately, it seems more likely that the Spurs will ultimately stick to picking second due to their reported stingy offers for Durant.
This effectively breaks apart any effort by the 76ers to move up to No. 2. While it was always an unrealistic scenario, Harper would have been a near-perfect running mate to Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt thanks to his size and skill as a combo guard.
Philadelphia still has a pressing need for a playmaking boost in the backcourt, and Harper would definitely some of that. As an added bonus, he is a sizeable guard who has no clear red flags in his game.
Thus, at this juncture, the most probable bet is that the Philadelphia 76ers will be picking third in the draft. Fortunately, this is still an enviable position to be in, as Philly can choose from a pool that should still have the likes of Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe, among others.