Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia 76ers had a terrible 2024-25 season as they finished managed to win just 24 games, but ended up losing 58, placing them 13th in the Eastern Conference. To help the team get better the 76ers acquired guard/forward, Paul George, from the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason, signing him to 4-year $211 million contract. The early predictions, before the 2024-25 season started, was that the 76ers were one of the favorites to win the NBA Finals this season. However, 76ers’ superstar, Joel Embiid, was never fully healthy for the season and George had one of the most disappointing seasons of his NBA career. While the Sixers managed to get a steal from the 2024 NBA draft in Jared McCain, he played in just 23 games before he went down with a season ending injury.
The Sixers did not have much to play for last season, and their president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, was on the verge of losing his job. However, the Sixers ended up winning the 3rd pick in the NBA lottery, and they now have a chance to land either land forward, Ace Bailey or guard, V.J. Edgecombe. But according to the latest NBA rumors, the Sixers could be trading their No. 3 pick to the Utah Jazz and here’s why.
Also Read: Jayson Tatum to Consult with 2-Time NBA Champion in Pursuit of His Rehab from Achilles Injury
Proposed 76ers-Jazz Trade: Swapping the #3 Pick for Mutual Gains
According to TheAthletic’s Sam Vecenie, the 76ers are willing to listen to various offers for the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. There are multiple teams that may want to jump up to get the No.3 overall, which includes the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, or the New Orleans Pelicans. Out of all the teams, the Jazz have some of the best assets they can offer to the 76ers for the 3rd pick in the draft. They could potentially offer forward, Lauri Markkanen and the 21st pick in the upcoming draft, for Paul George and the No.3 overall pick in the draft.
Did a write up on what I’m hearing from folks in Chicago at the combine this week. Unsurprisingly, way more focus is on overall roster building league wide versus the prospects on court.
Stuff on Spurs, Bucks, 76ers at 3, and point guard prospects.https://t.co/A2XSLaz0oQ pic.twitter.com/xd8AQP4sG7
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 16, 2025
Why should the Sixers trade the No.3 Overall Pick for Lauri Markkanen?
The Sixers are currently in a lot of trouble because of the Paul George contract, who did not play anywhere near to the expectation that was set out for him. George averaged 16.2 points on 43 percent shooting from the field last season. While those numbers aren’t bad per se, this is definitely not the kind of production that the Sixers were looking for when they signed him to a $211 deal. And with George already at the age of 35, we can most definitely expect the numbers to keep declining as the years go by. However, the biggest reason is, the Sixers are most likely not winning an NBA championship with George on the roster, looking at last season.
The Sixers also already have Jared McCain and Tyrese Maxey, who are most definitely going to be the second and the third option. So what they really need is a lengthy forward who can score from all three levels, and a patrol the paint, and there are very few other players than Lauri Markkanen, at his position, that can do all of those things.
Meanwhile, the Jazz are looking to rebuild and while they have some pieces to build around, if they manage to get the No.3 pick from the Sixers, it will most likely help them with the rebuilding process. After their stars Donovan Mitchell, and Rudy Gobert left the city, the Jazz have struggled the last couple of seasons, and while Markkanen emerged as their best player, he clearly is not the player to build around. Markkanen, at this stage of his career, can be a terrific second, third, or the fourth option for a contending team, and there’s no better team for him than the Sixers.
Hence the trade makes sense for both the teams, especially given that Boston Celtics’ star, Jayson Tatum, will most likely miss the majority of the season with an Achilles tear next season. The time is now for the Sixers if they want to go further than the second round.