76ers Reportedly 'Determined to' Draft 'Dynamic Young Talent' amid NBA Trade Rumors
The Philadelphia 76ers want to make the most of their move up the 2025 NBA draft board, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Stein reported Monday the Sixers "are determined to add a dynamic young talent to their core" and unlikely to trade back very far if they deal the No. 3 overall selection.
Fellow insider Jake Fischer reported on May 21 that Philly is likely to keep its veteran tandem of Joel Embiid and Paul George together.
"There have been no indications that they are looking to package George with the No. 3 pick or try to move him on his own," Fischer said.
On May 19, ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported that "some teams expect the Sixers to be active in trade conversations," citing the Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant and Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen as theoretical targets.
Regarding Durant, Stein said the notion had been "strongly debunked" in his conversations around the NBA.
The Sixers have a lot of urgency. The injuries continue to add up for Embiid and George, who are both into their 30s. Philly's championship window with the pair probably isn't going to get any wider than it is now.
Of course, that gives president of basketball operations Daryl Morey plenty of reasons to take a longer view with the team's first-round pick.
The 76ers have a great opportunity to add a young player with cost control and who more closely aligns with the timeline of guard Tyrese Maxey. If this version of the roster is cooked, starting over will be a little easier if Maxey is paired with Rutgers' Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey, Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, Texas' Tre Johnson or whoever Philly would select.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected Bailey to land there in his newest mock.
Unless Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo or a player of that caliber was coming back, trading the No. 3 pick would be a case of throwing good money after bad.
