The Philadelphia 76ers had a largely successful NBA Draft Lottery, avoiding disaster.
One of the memorable images from the NBA Draft Lottery was seeing Daryl Morey slumped on the table after just missing out on the top overall pick, eventually landing the third selection.
While not perfect, for the Philadelphia 76ers this high-stakes draft lottery worked out very well.
After trading their 2025 selection to the Oklahoma City Thunder with a top-six protection, if the 76ers had been drawn with the 7th pick or lower, they would have lost it altogether.
All things considered, the Sixers came out well. And going off comments made by one of their players, it might line up perfectly.
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesPaul George has high expectations for Ace Bailey
Cooper Flagg is the consensus number one pick now available to the Dallas Mavericks. At number two, the San Antonio Spurs are expected to take Dylan Harper.
The Philadelphia 76ers then have the pick, and one highly touted player they could select is Rutgers teenager Ace Bailey.
Interestingly, Ace Bailey already comes with a big recommendation from current 76ers star Paul George.
Speaking on a Podcast P episode in February, Paul George made the bold claim that Ace Bailey had even more potential than Cooper Flagg.
Paul George said: “I think Ace Bailey is a little bit more raw talent with still a ton of upside.
“I think Cooper Flagg, not to say he doesn’t have upside, he has amazing upside as well but I think Ace Bailey has a little bit more upside to him.”
Ace Bailey has had Kevin Durant comparisons
Paul George is not in isolation with his high opinion of Ace Bailey.
Bailey has been regularly compared to Kevin Durant due to his height and wingspan, and the Phoenix Suns superstar sees validity in the comparisons.
Quoted via NJ.com earlier this season, Kevin Durant was asked about them, commenting: “Yeah, I think so. Ace is a pure, pure talent.”
The 76ers have the chance to add an exciting player in the draft, and whether he compares favorably to Cooper Flagg or not, Bailey could be a major asset to the team.