Sixers Eye Strategic Moves Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft

The Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up for the 2025 NBA draft, set to unfold Wednesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. With the No. 3 overall pick secured after moving up two spots in the lottery, the team is exploring various strategies, including potential trades.

Daryl Morey, the Sixers' president of basketball operations, has a history of impactful trades, notably acquiring guard De'Anthony Melton on draft night in 2022. This time, speculation surrounds whether he might attempt to leapfrog the San Antonio Spurs, who hold the No. 2 pick.

Reports from multiple sources indicate that the Sixers have engaged in discussions with the Spurs about trading up to select Rutgers guard Dylan Harper. While NBA Insider Marc Stein suggests that the Sixers may ultimately remain at No. 3, the possibility of a deal remains open as draft night approaches.

Harper, widely regarded as the second-best prospect in this draft class behind Duke's Cooper Flagg, is a notable figure—he's the son of Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion. Morey has stated that the Sixers will prioritize selecting the best player available, which could still yield a strong prospect at No. 3 if Harper and Flagg are chosen first.

Should both top prospects be off the board, the Sixers have several appealing options at No. 3, including Ace Bailey from Rutgers, VJ Edgecombe from Baylor, Kon Knueppel from Duke, and Tre Johnson from Texas. Notably, Edgecombe participated in a pre-draft workout with the Sixers, while Knueppel mentioned a virtual meeting with the team on a recent podcast. Bailey's scheduled workout was canceled last week, adding an element of uncertainty.

HoopsHype reports that the Sixers have narrowed their focus to four key prospects, suggesting that one could still be available when they make their selection. Although trading back seems unlikely, Morey’s approach leaves all options on the table as he aims to enhance the team's competitiveness for the upcoming season.

One potential trade partner could be the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 7 overall. A mock draft scenario proposed by Yahoo Sports suggested a deal where the Sixers would trade back to acquire the seventh pick along with Herb Jones and a future first-round selection in exchange for Kelly Oubre and their third pick. This move would bolster their defense with Jones, who earned first-team All-Defense honors last season.

Another mock draft from The Athletic earlier this month envisioned the Sixers executing two trades to slide back to No. 6 with the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards. In this scenario, they would gain additional picks while offloading contracts for Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon.

As the clock ticks down to draft night, all eyes will be on how the Sixers navigate their options—whether they choose to trade up for a coveted prospect or capitalize on their current position to secure a valuable player.