The Philadelphia 76ers could go in several different directions with the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NBA draft — including a trade package for a former league MVP.
ESPN published a complete two-round mock draft on Monday, following the completion of the NBA combine, which wrapped up on Sunday in Chicago. Two draft analysts, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, completed the mock draft, which provided insight on each selection from 1 to 59.
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The two analysts selected Airious “Ace” Bailey for the Sixers at No. 3.
A six-foot-ten guard from Rutgers, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game for the Scarlet Knights this past season, his freshman campaign. But Philadelphia could select Bailey with the intention of trading him immediately.
Givony noted that “some teams” expect the Sixers to be active in trade talks, and could package the third overall selection with Paul George for players such as Kevin Durant and Lauri Markkanen.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant dunks against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George during a game at Wells Fargo Center. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Philadelphia would be Durant’s fifth team in his NBA career. Entering his 18th year in the league, Durant is coming off his third season in Phoenix, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
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Flipping George, who plays the same position and is nearly two years younger, for the former MVP in Durant would come at a price of losing the third overall pick and adding roughly $2 million to the Sixers’ cap space, according to Spotrac.
Giovany pointed out that Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has a history of being “active and aggressive on the trade front.” Morey has only made 32 picks in his 18 NBA seasons as a GM.
Of those 32, 14 were first-round selections, and they never have been any higher than pick No. 12
Related: Sixers Could Make Blockbuster Paul George Trade This Summer