The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t have “pray for a top-six pick” on their 2025 bingo card, but here they are.
In a season derailed by injuries, where Joel Embiid played just 19 games due to persistent left knee issues, Paul George went down with a season-ending groin injury, and Tyrese Maxey dealt with back problems, Philly is in an unfamiliar, but familiar spot.
Championship dreams were shelved early, but a silver lining could come from this summer’s NBA Draft.
The Draft Lottery: Fortune or Failure
Thanks to a 2020 salary dump that sent Al Horford to Oklahoma City, the 76ers will keep their first-round pick, as long as it lands in the top six. Otherwise, it heads to the Thunder. Currently sitting at 23-55, the Sixers have a 10.5% chance of winning the lottery.
If the ping-pong balls bounce Philly’s way, the obvious prize is Duke’s Cooper Flagg. Flagg is a two-way monster with a sky-high basketball IQ.
He’s the consensus number-one pick for a reason, and if the 76ers miraculously land him, it should be an easy call.
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If they fall short, though, Flagg is likely off the board, and Daryl Morey and Co. will need to look elsewhere to keep the team on track.
So, who else should the 76ers have their eyes on?
The 76ers’ Big Board Outside of Flagg
Before diving into the draft board, this is the current roster outlook for the 76ers. The players that are under contract for Philly next season are Embiid, George, Maxey, Jared McCain, Ricky Council IV and Adem Bona.
Kelly Oubre has a player option, and Andre Drummond, Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele are free agents. It is reported that the Sixers are looking to re-sign Grimes in free agency— if they can afford to.
Dylan Harper (Guard, Rutgers)
2024-2025 Stats: 19.4 PPG, 4.6 REB, 4.0 AST
A strong-framed lefty combo guard with elite playmaking instincts, Harper projects as a top-three pick. He has the pedigree and the poise to be a long-term backcourt star.
He grew up around the game, as his dad is five-time NBA champ Ron Harper.
His ability to create in the half court and push the pace would make him an intriguing fit next to Maxey.
Ace Bailey (Guard/Forward, Rutgers)
2024-2025 Stats: 17.6 PPG, 7.2 REB, 1.3 AST
At 6-foot-10, Bailey is one of the most athletic forwards in the class with a developing offensive package. He’s a fluid scorer with improving shot creation and above-average range, and he has the tools to grow into a two-way star.
Bailey’s high ceiling is exactly what a team like Philly might want if they’re thinking long-term.
V.J. Edgecombe (Guard, Baylor)
2024-2025 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 5.6 REB, 3.2 AST
Edgecombe is an athletic wing who plays with energy on both ends of the floor.
He’s not quite as polished as Harper, but he brings defensive toughness and a developing shot, making him a potential glue guy on a Sixers team that needs more reliability around its stars.
Tre Johnson (Guard, Texas)
2024-2025 Stats: 19.9 PPG, 3.1 REB, 2.7 AST
While less buzzed about than Flagg or Harper, Johnson is a shotmaker with a smooth offensive game. If he develops more consistency from deep, he could become a reliable scoring threat off the bench or in small-ball lineups.
Kon Knueppel (Forward/Guard, Duke)
2024-2025 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 4.0 REB, 2.7 AST
A crafty wing with elite shooting mechanics, Knueppel would fit the “surround Embiid with snipers” blueprint perfectly. Though he’s not the most explosive athlete, his feel for the game and shooting touch could make him an instant contributor.
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Derik Queen (Center, Maryland)
2024-2025 Stats: 16.5 PPG, 9.0 REB, 1.9 AST
Queen turned heads during March Madness and is rising on the boards. While a center isn’t an immediate need for the 76ers, Queen’s interior presence and offensive footwork give him long-term upside.
He could become a strong backup or even a trade asset down the line.
From shooting wings to high-upside forwards, the 2025 class is full of intriguing talent.
For a 76ers team in transition, this draft could be the first step in building a new title window, or at least keeping the current one open a little longer.
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