We’re 15 days away from the 2025 NBA Draft and no one is sure what the Philadelphia 76ers plan to do with the third overall pick. Throughout the past few weeks, there have been various reports that Philadelphia is interested in a handful of draft prospects. Still, the 76ers will reportedly consider any offer that is presented for the third pick, but are in no rush to trade it. While this intel could potentially be smokescreens planted by Philadelphia’s front office, there is a team that could put together an offer that they can’t refuse.
The 76ers should hit up the Pelicans
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports revealed on his podcast “The Kevin O’Connor Show” that the New Orleans Pelicans like Ace Bailey as a prospect and could attempt to trade up with the 76ers: “I’ve heard the Pelicans at No. 7 like Ace Bailey. Joe Dumars is there—sounds like he really likes Ace Bailey, could try to trade up to No. 3 to Philly or No. 4 with Charlotte. That to me, is the best case scenario for the Sixers is you trade down four spots.”
Similar to Philadelphia, New Orleans’ 2024-25 campaign was devastated by injuries – resulting in a 21-61 record, which gave it the fourth-best odds to acquire the first overall pick. Like many tanking teams, the Pelicans received less than an ideal outcome as they netted the seventh overall pick. With Joe Dumars named New Orleans’ Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations after David Griffin was fired in April, he may be looking to shake up the roster.
While Zion Williamson is reportedly off the table as of now, the Pelicans have two players that the 76ers could be interested in – namely Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. However, Murphy is a less realistic option due to his four-year/$112 million extension kicking in next season along with the fact that he’s coming off an under-the-radar breakout season. Unless there’s a third team involved in a potential trade, he’ll likely be out of Philadelphia’s reach.
Herb Jones makes a lot of sense for the 76ers
On the other hand, Jones is more attainable, especially if New Orleans desperately wants to trade up from the seventh pick. Jones was limited to 20 games this season due to a shoulder injury, but in the season prior, he finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. At 6’ 8 and 210 pounds, Jones has cemented himself as one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the NBA due to his versatility, lateral quickness, and keen awareness.
In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 11 points per game on 63.6% true-shooting, 2.6 assists per game, and 1.4 steals per game. New Orleans ranked seventh in defensive rating – allowing 112.9 points per 100 possessions – and Jones’ defensive abilities played a pivotal role in the effort. Opponents’ field goal percentage also dipped 3.1% when he was the closest defender, which ranked in the 89th percentile.
2024 Herb Jones defensive playmaking pic.twitter.com/YrXtESWAc2
— Pitless (@pitlessball) June 2, 2025
With such an elite defensive presence mixed with a dynamic off-ball skill set including cutting and spot-up shooting, he’d be a perfect addition to the 76ers. Jones will make approximately $14 million next season, which would make a potential trade for Philadelphia a bit tricky, but not impossible. If Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond are willing to pick up their player options that total about $13.3 million, it can financially work.
The 76ers would be sending out the third pick for the seventh pick, which has been a controversial idea amongst the fanbase. With the seventh selection, players such as Jeremiah Fears (reach), Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Collin Murray-Boyles, could be there for the taking. Philadelphia walking away with a premier two-way forward in Jones while continuing to build up its young core would be a solid outcome. The two biggest questions are how much New Orleans values Jones and will Embiid be available to warrant this win-now move.