After signing All-Star Paul George and getting into the 2024-25 season with championship aspirations, the Philadelphia 76ers enter a vital offseason with the No. 3 decide in Wednesday’s 2025 NBA draft (8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN) and loads of large inquiries to reply following a 24-58 season.
That begins with Joel Embiid, who had arthroscopic surgical procedure on his troublesome left knee a few months in the past after taking part in 19 video games final season. With the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum damage (ruptured proper Achilles) leaving the highest of the Japanese Convention much more weak than anticipated subsequent season, Philadelphia believes it has an opportunity to contend — however that is going to be viable provided that Embiid is wholesome somewhat than the hobbled model of himself.
Then there’s George, who additionally struggled to remain on the court docket and produce in his first season as a Sixer. Can he return to the extent he was anticipated to be at after leaving the LA Clippers as a max free agent 12 months in the past?
If they will, the 76ers ought to be within the combine on the high of the East. Whether or not they can accomplish that, nonetheless, is perhaps the East’s largest unknown.
Philadelphia additionally has to resolve what to do with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes and unrestricted free agent Guerschon Yabusele. Because the staff’s two brightest spots final season, they are going to seemingly garner outdoors curiosity after the way in which they performed.
First, although, the 76ers have a captivating choice to make with their decide at No. 3 — they usually even have what might be a useful early second-rounder (No. 35) to make use of on one other potential contributor after buying the decide within the Caleb Martin commerce in February. — Tim Bontemps
In the course of the draft: Observe ESPN’s stay NBA Draftcast with immediate evaluation
Extra NBA draft protection:
Newest mock draft | Commerce provides for No. 1
Remaining massive board for 100 prospects | High 20 abilities
Draft information | Pelton’s high 30 | Extra
Sixers’ choices approaching the draft
After lucking out within the lottery and never solely retaining their decide, however seeing it bounce to No. 3, the 76ers have a possibility so as to add a serious expertise to their roster. Together with Jonathan Givony, we’re presently projecting VJ Edgecombe because the more than likely possibility at No. 3 after a constructive go to to Philadelphia positioned the Baylor capturing guard because the front-runner.
There’s room for an additional staff to make an overture to commerce as much as this slot, and the 76ers ought to be open to the thought of utilizing the decide to create worth. However after a troublesome, injury-plagued season, Philadelphia might additionally assume massive image and take the most effective out there prospect.
Edgecombe provides wonderful upside as a shot-creating guard due to his explosiveness and talent to use downhill strain on defenses. Whereas he does not fill a direct positional want for the 76ers, he has the makings of a possible franchise constructing block. His sturdy intangibles have additionally helped his case right here. He’s broadly seen as a safer possibility than Ace Bailey, who seems to be behind Edgecombe as a contender for this slot.
Whereas they will not have nice energy of alternative at No. 35, the Sixers ought to ideally be concentrating on a participant who can present quick roster depth. An skilled faculty participant reminiscent of Ryan Kalkbrenner would make sense contemplating the necessity for depth behind oft-injured Embiid. — Jeremy Woo
Two commerce provides the 76ers can construct round
Provide No. 1: Sixers commerce No. 3 for No. 7
76ers get:
No. 7 decide
Herb Jones
New Orleans Pelicans get:
No. 3 decide
Kelly Oubre Jr.
On this commerce supply, the 76ers would drop from No. 3 to No. 7 to choose up Jones, who made first-team All-Protection in 2023-24, although he performed simply 20 video games due to a labrum tear in 2024-25. With a profession 14% utilization charge, Jones will not add a lot offensively — his 42% 3-point stroke in 2023-24 seems to be like an outlier, and opposing defenses nonetheless do not respect his jumper — however his point-of-attack protection can be tremendously necessary for a staff with undersized Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain within the backcourt.
The 76ers ranked twenty sixth in defensive score this season, the franchise’s worst mark for the reason that “Course of” days. And that wasn’t totally a operate of their late-season tank, as they had been twenty third earlier than the All-Star break. Including Jones, together with extra taking part in time from Embiid, would go a good distance towards addressing that weak spot.
Whether or not New Orleans would wish to give the 76ers that enhance is much less clear, as the brand new Pelicans entrance workplace hasn’t but signaled the way it desires to vary a roster that dissatisfied so severely this season. However in principle, all choices ought to be on the desk for the Pelicans — even buying and selling a useful participant reminiscent of Jones, who’s signed to a comparatively low-cost contract ($13.9 million in 2025-26 and $14.9 million in 2026-27) however will flip 27 years outdated in early October and might need already peaked.
Based mostly on my draft worth chart — which relies on the outcomes for all first-round picks from 2000 by 2016 — the hole between No. 3 and No. 7 is equal to a decide within the early 20s. It is perhaps a stretch for Philadelphia to get New Orleans to simply accept a return like that for Jones. But when the Pelicans imagine they could land a real star at No. 3 who will not fall to No. 7, this deal would make sense for each side. — Zach Kram
Provide No. 2: Philadelphia trades George
76ers get:
Michael Porter Jr.
Zeke Nnaji
Dario Saric
Denver Nuggets get:
Paul George
If the 76ers wish to maintain the No. 3 decide, it will not be simple to make significant upgrades. Embiid, George and Maxey are the one Sixers incomes eight figures, so wage matching for a star can be all however inconceivable except they will embody one of many massive three. However Embiid and Maxey appear all however untouchable, and George’s contract seems to be underwater after a tough first season in Philadelphia — so how about an old school problem commerce, with no picks concerned, simply gamers who would possibly profit from a contemporary begin in a brand new metropolis?
Denver has lengthy been rumored to carry curiosity in George, who’s theoretically a superb match for its small ahead place, as a two-way secondary star with a easy 3-point stroke. And if the Nuggets’ new entrance workplace decides it must gamble with a high-risk, high-reward transfer to compete with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the West, shifting from Porter to George might be the best name. Porter’s sport has plateaued in Denver, and George provides the next ceiling if he returns wholesome in 2025-26.
For the 76ers, in the meantime, Porter’s contract is smaller than George’s and has one fewer yr (accounting for George’s participant possibility in 2027-28), growing their monetary flexibility going ahead. And as a superb 3-point shooter with measurement, Porter would offer pristine spacing round Maxey and Embiid, whereas becoming extra on Maxey’s timeline than George, who’s nearly a decade older. — Kram
Amongst these commerce provides, this one matches finest
ESPN’s Bobby Marks picks essentially the most real looking of the trades and explains why this would possibly or won’t be possible:
The commerce with Denver is the most effective supply right here as a result of the three-for-one commerce balances the Sixers’ roster whereas additionally eradicating the $56.6 million owed to George in 2027-28.
The commerce with the Pelicans is a win-win. The 76ers entered the week of the draft with a “fictional” listing of 5 gamers they might draft in the event that they picked at No. 3: Edgecombe, Khaman Maluach, Bailey, Tre Johnson and Jeremiah Fears. By shifting again 4 slots, Philadelphia nonetheless has the choice to pick a participant on its listing and, extra importantly, add an All-NBA defender in Jones.
The commerce is conditional on Oubre opting in to his $8.4 million contract for subsequent season.