Sixers head coach Nick Nurse
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse
With less than two weeks until the 2025 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers are likely finalizing their plans. Daryl Morey will have an idea of his preferred targets and likely what it would take to trade the third overall pick.
According to Grant Afseth of RG.org, the Sixers “remain open” to making a trade. However, if they’re still in possession of their pick when it’s time to select a player, it is unlikely Morey adds Ace Bailey to Nick Nurse’s rotation.
“Ace Bailey began the cycle as a projected top-three pick, but league sources tell RG that teams are monitoring the Philadelphia 76ers closely at No. 3, as they remain open to trade scenarios,” Afseth reported. “If a deal doesn’t materialize, one name to watch is VJ Edgecombe.”
If the Sixers do keep their pick, Morey must choose between adding the best talent available or a high-level talent that fits with what the roster needs. After all, rookies need consistent playing time in order to develop and reach their potential. Therefore, if Edgecombe has a better chance of securing a spot in Nurse’s rotation, it would be wise to lean toward drafting him.
Of course, if a trade does materialize, Morey could find himself adding some future assets to his war chest while also selecting a high-level talent a few spots later in the lottery.
Sixers Could Draft Khaman Maluach
The Athletic’s Zach Harper has projected the franchise could select Khaman Maluach in his latest mock draft.
“Yes, Maluach is a center, and Joel Embiid is a center, and you’re not going to employ two franchise centers at the same time,” Harper wrote. “That is, if you believe Maluach has the potential to become a franchise center. But we know Embiid is 31, his body simply doesn’t hold up, and the Sixers have to start wondering how much longer they can afford to roll with this process. Bringing in Maluach gives some clarity on what that succession plan looks like, and hopefully, he learns heavily from Embiid on a daily basis.”
Even if the Sixers traded out of the third spot in the draft, it’s likely that Maluach would still be on the board. Therefore, he could be a logical target for Morey, especially if he’s looking for some cost-controlled insurance on Joel Embiid.
Trading Down Would be Logical for Sixers
During a recent episode of the “Kevin O’Connor Show” for Yahoo Sports, O’Connor noted that the Sixers could trade down to get Maluach.
”I’m not the biggest Ace Bailey guy. Personally, if I’m Philadelphia, I’d be very, very open to trading down. I’ve heard the Pelicans at number seven like Ace Bailey. Joe Dumars there — sounds like he really likes Ace Bailey. Could try to trade up to number three to Philly or number four with Charlotte. That to me is the best-case scenario for the Sixers — you trade down from three to seven, New Orleans gets their guy, and you can probably still get Maluach. I don’t know if Trey Johnson would be there at seven, but Maluach — I don’t see it at four or five.”
Morey has a lot to ponder over the next 10 days. Still, he’s in a fortunate position, as he continues to build a young core for the future alongside a roster that can contend in the immediate. What Philadelphia chooses to do on draft night will remain to be seen, but one thing is for sure: it certainly won’t be boring.