NBA Insider Says 76ers 'Expected' to Listen to Trade Offers for No. 3 Draft Pick

The Philadelphia 76ers are "expected" to "listen to offers" for the No. 3 overall draft pick, per Sam Vecenie of The Athletic.

"It’s expected that the Sixers will listen to offers for No. 3, but it’s unclear whom the team would take if it stays. Rutgers’ Bailey has been seen as the biggest upside swing, and he fills a theoretical position of need for Philly as a big wing. But he is also viewed as more of a project by scouts and executives, and this is a Sixers front office that likely needs to win next year to keep its jobs. I’ve also gotten a wider sense of appreciation from NBA front offices for Edgecombe than Bailey."

Philadelphia just finished a bitterly disappointing 24-58 season that started with far more promise after the 76ers formed a new big three by adding Paul George alongside All-Star duo Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. But injuries took a major toll on the season, to the point where that trio missed a combined 134 games. Only two players (Ricky Council IV and Guerschon Yabusele) played more than 60 games.

The latest mock draft from Jonathan Wasserman for Bleacher Report has Rutgers forward Ace Bailey going to the 76ers.

"With Paul George on the decline, the Sixers could look to Bailey to add more scoring and shotmaking around the perimeter," Wasserman wrote.

At this juncture, it appears Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are going one-two, with the biggest debate being who lands at third. The top two candidates are Bailey and Baylor wing VJ Edgecombe, who was fourth in Wasserman's mock draft.

Vecenie noted, though, that there could be pressure for the 76ers to win now, especially given that the team as constructed was expected to be a contender. They clearly need more help on the wing, so either Bailey or Edgecombe makes sense. But if Edgecombe is seen as the more developed prospect right now, then it wouldn't be a surprise to see Philadelphia go that route.

But then there's the trade route. The 76ers clearly need help to build the roster, especially with injuries curtailing Embiid and George, a nine-time All-Star, looking past his prime. Adding more picks for the No. 3 selection or potentially trading for a veteran (or veterans) to fill out the roster wouldn't be a bad idea either.

We'll see soon enough what Philadelphia decides to do with the NBA draft approaching on June 25.