The 76ers could trade the No. 3 pick to pursue Kevin Durant or Lauri Markkanen, with Paul George likely part of the deal. Daryl Morey must choose between chasing a title now or building for the future alongside Tyrese Maxey.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ No. 3 overall pick could be the most powerful tool in Daryl Morey’s arsenal this summer — and it might be their ticket to landing another star.
According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, rival teams expect the Sixers to explore trade opportunities involving top-tier talent like Kevin Durant and Lauri Markkanen, potentially in packages that include Paul George and the newly secured top-three selection.
The idea is simple: swap out a fading George — who’s on a declining trajectory and an expensive four-year deal — for a younger, better-fitting star or a proven scorer with championship pedigree. That’s where Durant and Markkanen come in.
Durant, even at 37, remains one of the game’s most polished offensive weapons, and he’s no stranger to title chases. But adding him would likely mean extending his contract and doubling down on a win-now timeline — a risky bet given Joel Embiid’s ongoing health issues.
Markkanen, meanwhile, offers a more balanced alternative: younger, still improving, and signed for four more years at max money. He doesn’t carry Durant’s playoff résumé, but his shooting, size, and fit next to Embiid and Maxey could give Philadelphia a longer runway toward contention.
Of course, keeping the pick and selecting a high-upside rookie is still on the table. It’s cost-controlled talent — exactly what a team needs when it’s already committing max dollars to injury-prone stars.
But if Morey believes Embiid has another deep playoff run left in him, flipping the pick for Durant or Markkanen might be the boldest move to align ambition with action.
Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.