{"id":32529,"date":"2025-05-14T14:46:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T14:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/32529\/"},"modified":"2025-05-14T14:46:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T14:46:14","slug":"sixers-seem-to-be-positioning-to-stick-and-pick-at-third-overall-in-2025-nba-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/32529\/","title":{"rendered":"Sixers seem to be positioning to stick and pick at third overall in 2025 NBA Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 NBA Draft<\/a> Lottery has come and gone, and everyone around the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> went through the emotional ringer, all the way up to President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey.<\/p>\n

However, the disaster scenario was averted and the Sixers were able to keep their pick, landing at third overall. Now, the question becomes, what does Philadelphia do with it? <\/p>\n

Logically, a strong argument can be made for trading down. The consensus around this draft class is that Cooper Flagg is the no-brainer, generational pick at No. 1, with Dylan Harper a clear choice at second overall. Then, there\u2019s a wide tier where you can make the case for any number of players. So if someone like New Orleans at No. 7 or Brooklyn at No. 8 wanted to move up, and the Sixers could acquire additional draft capital while still remaining in that same tier with their first selection, it could be a very smart move.<\/p>\n

In parsing the post-lottery comments from the Sixers brass, though, it doesn\u2019t seem like a trade down is in the cards. We look to be in store for what they term in NFL circles a stick and pick. Now, I acknowledge this could all be posturing for leverage. No one wants the Sixers to pull from the Elton Brand School of Telegraphing Your Intentions so the Celtics<\/a> can Steal a Draft Pick. Still, these are pretty clear remarks.<\/p>\n

Daryl Morey said during his post-lottery availability that, at this moment, the plan is for the Sixers to keep their No. 3 overall pick.<\/p>\n

“We think this draft is different. We really think this draft is really strong at the top, especially in the top 3, and we\u2019re very excited.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Gina Mizell (@ginamizell.bsky.social)<\/a> 2025-05-13T00:24:10.252Z<\/a><\/p>\n

“Yeah, we won’t take that into account. If the best player is a guard, we’ll take a guard there.”<\/p>\n

– Daryl Morey told Kincade & Salciunas that, regardless of need, the Sixers will take the best player available.<\/p>\n

-Bill Streicher-Imagn Images pic.twitter.com\/tz22Cqv6Jv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) May 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201c[Everyone knows] who\u2019s going number one, and then we got one team that can pick one of the two other guys that we want\u2014so we have a couple [players available to choose from] and we\u2019re in good shape.\u201d<\/p>\n

– Nick Nurse on @MikeGillShow<\/a> (via @nearnshawradio<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u2014 Philly Sixers Galaxy (@sixers_galaxy) May 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no mention of \u201cIt\u2019s terrific to be as high as possible because that presents you with even more opportunities\u201d or \u201cWe\u2019re in a really advantageous position and I\u2019m sure calls will be coming in\u201d from Morey and company. The Nurse comment is particularly intriguing because it seems like the Sixers already have a guy in mind for No. 3. You can imagine Harper falls into the \u201ctwo other guys that we want\u201d category if the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> were to unexpectedly go in a different direction. But the other person on the Sixers\u2019 list remains a mystery. The most commonly discussed candidates are V.J. Edgecombe, Ace Bailey and Tre Johnson, but we don\u2019t really know for sure at this point.<\/p>\n

Regardless, drafting has been the area where Daryl Morey has really shined during his Sixers tenure. If stick and pick is the decision, we should trust the scouting department\u2019s evaluation. Now that Morey has premium draft capital to work with, we can be really excited at what the future might hold.<\/p>\n