Sixers NBA Draft 2025: Who Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers might draft at No. 3

The 2025 NBA Draft is upon us and all eyes likely will be on the Philadelphia 76ers, owners of the 3rd overall pick in the first round.

There likely will be little suspense who is selected with the first two picks as Duke forward Cooper Flagg is projected to go No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks and Rutgers guard Dylan Harper is expected to go No. 2 to the San Antonio Spurs.

That leaves president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and the Sixers as the first team on the draft board that can throw a wrench in other team's plans.

Much speculation has been made about what Philly might do, with trading down an option or choosing from a number of talented guards or even making an unlikely trade up. Either way, the team will hope to strike gold again like it did when it drafted guard Jared McCain with the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

These are the most likely players the Sixers will consider no matter where they pick.

Sixers 2025 draft picks

• First round, No. 3 overall
• Second round, No. 35 overall

76ers NBA Draft prospects

Dylan Harper, Rutgers

Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots the ball while USC Trojans guard Desmond Claude (1) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

• Freshman, guard, 6-4½ , 213, 19 years old
• 2024-25 stats: 19.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 48.4% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 75% FT

Harper is the consensus top player after Flagg mainly due to his size and his ability to get to the net at ease and involve his teammates. It's highly unlikely he'll be available at No. 3 or that the Spurs will trade the pick, but Sixers fans can daydream of a backcourt of Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and Harper.

Dylan Harper highlights

Ace Bailey, Rutgers

Mar 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) drives the ball around Purdue Boilermakers forward Camden Heide (23) during the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

• Freshman, guard-forward, 6-7½ , 202, 18 years old
• 2024-25 stats: 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 bpg, 46% FG, 34.6% 3PT, 69.2% FT

A highly-talented and tough shot-making forward would fit in perfectly lineup wise with Philly, but his age and perceived immaturity might make Sixers brass think twice. After committing to a workout with Philly, Bailey backed out last minute with reports stating he'd prefer to go elsewhere. However, Bailey is mum as to why he canceled the visit.

Ace Bailey highlights

VJ Edgecombe, Baylor

• Freshman, guard, 6-4, 193, 19 years old
• 2024-25 stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.1 spg, 43.6% FG, 34% 3PT, 78.2% FT

VJ Edgecombe, the athletic guard from Baylor, is a favorite among draft experts after his recent private visit with the Sixers that featured an appearance from Maxey. While there is some questions about his handle and 3-point shooting, Edgecombe's size, transition ability and defensive tenacity would immediately help a Sixers team in desperate need athleticism.

VJ Edgecombe highlights

Tre Johnson, Texas

DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 19: Tre Johnson #20 of the Texas Longhorns attempts a shot in the second half against the Xavier Musketeers in the First Four game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 19, 2025 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by )

• Freshman, guard, 6-4¾, 190, 19 years old
• 2024-25 stats: 19.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 42.7% FG, 39.7% 3PT, 87.1% FT

Maybe the best shooter in the draft, Johnson shot nearly 40 percent on 3s on almost seven attempts per game. Along with being one of the best offensive players in the draft, the SEC Freshman of the Year offers prototypical size despite a slight frame but needs to work on getting others involved. There are rumors Johnson is gaining steam as the Sixers' top option at No. 3.

Tre Johnson highlights

Kon Knueppel, Duke

Mar 15, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) brings the ball up court against the Louisville Cardinals during the 2025 ACC Conference Championship game at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

• Freshman, guard-forward, 6-5, 219, 19 years old
• 2024-25 stats: 14.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 47.9% FG, 40.6% 3PT, 91.4% FT

What Kon Knueppel lacks in ideal athleticism, he makes up for with true shooting ability from three, mid-range and at the free-throw line. Knueppel appears to be a ready-made NBA player after scoring 21 points, five rebounds and five assists in an Elite Eight victory against Alabama, and 16 points and seven rebounds in a Final Four loss to Houston. He'd been fine fit in the Sixers lineup but his ceiling might prevent him from being a star.

Khaman Maluach, Duke

Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) celebrates during the first half against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.

• Freshman, center, 7-0½, 253, 18 years old
• 2024-25 stats: 8.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 71.4% FG, 76.4% FT

If the Sixers are convinced that Joel Embiid's best days after behind, they might consider Maluach as his long-term replacement. Maluach excels at pick-and-roll and is an easy lob threat around the rim who uses his size on the offensive glass.  He had 14 points and nine rebounds in Elite Eight victory against Alabama but scored just six points and no rebounds in a Final Four loss to Houston.

Khaman Maluach highlights

NBA Draft odds

While the No. 1 pick is all but assured, the rest of the first round isn't so certain. In fact, there's even a good amount of possible outcomes within the first 10 picks. After the Spurs likely take Harper (-5000 odds), others prospects such as Bailey (+2000) and Edgecombe (+2200) trail behind.

Here are the favorites to get drafted for each of the top-10 draft positions.

1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, Duke (-10000)
2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, Rutgers (-2500)
3. Philadelphia 76ers: VJ Edgecombe, Baylor (-285)
4. Charlotte Hornets: Kon Knueppel, Duke (+150)
5. Utah Jazz: Tre Johnson, Texas (+160)
6. Washington Wizards: Ace Bailey, Rutgers (+220)
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma (+200)
8. Brooklyn Nets: Khaman Maluach, Duke (+400)
9. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach, Duke (+240)
10. Houston Rockets: Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois/Carter Bryant, Arizona/Derik Queen, Maryland (+500)

Sixers roster 2025

• Tyrese Maxey, 0, PG
• Andre Drummond, 1, C
• Quentin Grimes, 5, SG
• Kyle Lowry, 7, PG
• Paul George, 8, SF
• Kelly Oubre Jr., 9, SF
• Jeff Dowtin, 11, PG
• Jared Butler, 12, SG
• Ricky Council IV, 14, SF
• Lonnie Walker IV, 16, SG
• Jalen Hood-Schifino, 17, SG
• Justin Edwards, 19, SF
• Jared McCain, 20, PG
• Joel Embiid, 21, C
• Eric Gordon, 23, SG
• Guerschon Yabusele, 28, PF
• Adem Bona, 30, C
• Alex Reese, 65, PF

The USA Today Network contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Sixers NBA Draft 2025: Who Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers might draft at No. 3