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The Sixers could (hopefully) have a high pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but which type of player should they target?
The 2024-25 NBA season is nearing its end, and it couldn’t come soon enough for the
Philadelphia 76ers, who have fallen well short of expectations. The silver lining to an otherwise dire season: a potentially high draft pick in the first round, which they’ll get if their pick stays within the top six.
As a labeled “win-now” team, the Sixers must carefully weigh several factors when making their decision. While talent will ultimately reign supreme, the team could look for immediate contributors and factor positional fit. This raises an important question — what type of player should the Sixers prioritize with their high draft pick?
The Sixers current roster moving forward
Before exploring potential draft prospects, it’s crucial to assess the Sixers’ current roster and who will be around beyond this summer. As of now, the team has six players under contract for next season with no options: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, Jared McCain, Adem Bona and Ricky Council IV (non-guaranteed).
Additionally, they have two players with team options: Jared Butler and Justin Edwards.
Meanwhile, three players hold player options: Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon.
Beyond these players, the Sixers will have two key free agents they’ll look to retain with Quentin Grimes (restricted) and Guerschon Yabusele.
Assuming things play out as expected, the Sixers will likely enter next season with Maxey, McCain and Grimes as the key players in their backcourt rotation. While Grimes’ restricted free agency could make retaining Yabusele challenging, the team has signaled that they expect him to return or at least remain competitive in his free agency.
For now, we’ll assume Yabusele re-signs, joining George, Edwards and Oubre as the team’s key forwards. Oubre’s free agency could be a wildcard, although he appears to like playing here, the coaching staff trusts him, and the Sixers could offer him a competitive long-term deal around his current pay.
The center position appears set for next season, with Embiid (hopefully returning to full form), Bona continuing to develop, and Drummond likely picking up his player option after an injury-plagued season.
Summing everything up: The Sixers would come into this summer with three guards, four forwards and three centers all expected to get solid rotation minutes.
Triple (or Quadruple) down on guard play?
Arguably, the Sixers’ deepest position guard, assuming they retain Grimes. With Maxey, McCain and Grimes, all three should be focal points in the rotation, each logging at least 30 minutes per game, if not more. This begs the question: would there even be a worthwhile opportunity for a guard if they selected one high in the draft?
Ideally, either Maxey or McCain would be on the floor as the primary ball-handler at all times, with Grimes likely filling the shooting guard role alongside them. Since both Maxey and McCain are smaller guards, adding another undersized player to the mix could create even more defensive challenges.
This draft features several prospects with enough size to theoretically complement the Sixers’ current backcourt. Two players in 4-6 range, Texas’ Tre Johnson and Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis, both stand at 6-foot-6 with solid length. Johnson needs to add strength to handle more physical NBA competition but has the tools to develop into a capable defender. Jakucionis, while not the most athletic prospect, makes up for it with a high basketball IQ and the ability to play effectively on or off the ball.
Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe is widely regarded as the fourth-best prospect in this draft. At 6-foot-5, he has enough size to defend bigger guards and even some forwards. While he isn’t the playmaker that Jakucionis is, he’s shown the ability to be a Swiss Army knife on the court — contributing in multiple areas, including shooting, cutting, playmaking, and defense. In Philadelphia, he wouldn’t be relied upon to create as much offensively, which could actually benefit his development in the short term by allowing him to refine his complementary skills.
Then there’s
Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, one of the crown jewels of this draft class. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Harper has ideal size for a lead guard. While his fit alongside the Sixers’ current backcourt isn’t seamless, his talent is undeniable.
Given the Sixers’ existing backcourt depth, it’s difficult to see them prioritizing another guard who would require significant minutes — unless they believe that player can seamlessly fit alongside Maxey and/or McCain. That said, if a high-level talent like Harper falls to them, it would be tough to pass up on pure ability, even if the positional fit isn’t perfect.
Moving forward with forwards
It feels like the Sixers have been searching for a high-level forward forever. From Jimmy Butler to Glenn Robinson III to George — it’s been a journey. I’m more optimistic than most that George will bounce back next season, but in today’s NBA, you can never have too many versatile forwards.
Looking at the current roster, the Sixers could have several capable forwards ahead of free agency. Oubre has a player option and will likely test the market after one of his better seasons. However, with his Bird rights, the Sixers should have the flexibility to offer a competitive deal to retain him. Then there’s Edwards, who has shown he can be a solid rotation player. He’ll likely be back next season, whether by the Sixers picking up his team option or negotiating a new contract.
At the other forward spot is Yabusele, who has been a revelation for the team. If he leaves, it would create a glaring hole at the power forward position, likely forcing the Sixers to play a smaller lineup with Oubre and/or George logging minutes at the four. From a rebounding standpoint alone, that wouldn’t be ideal.
The 2025 Draft Class is headlined by Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Ace Bailey. Flagg offers more two-way ability while Bailey has showcased scoring ability. In a perfect world, Flagg would slot in perfectly next to George and Embiid. However, the chances the Sixers will have the opportunity to draft either one is pretty slim.
Outside of the top three, there’s only one true “small forward” projected to go in the lottery with Duke’s Kon Knueppel. Knueppel has shined with and without Flagg, and has been a complimentary scorer and shooter for the Blue Devils. Some draft analysts have also argued he’s capable of doing more on-ball and that his defense is better than the basic numbers suggest.
If we’re looking strictly at fit, it’s hard to find a better option in the lottery — outside of the top-tier prospects — than Knueppel. He’s proven he can score at a high level, and you can never have too many shooters surrounding Embiid. If he can round out his game beyond just scoring, he has the potential to be one of the steals of the draft.
As mentioned earlier, the power forward spot might be the thinnest area for the Sixers —especially if they’re unable to retain Yabusele. Fortunately, several fours are projected to go in the lottery, with Georgia’s Asa Newell, Ratiopharm Ulm’s Noa Essengue and South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles standing out as the main names in this range.
Newell is widely considered the best prospect of the three and would theoretically be a strong fit next to Embiid. He has a high motor and has demonstrated solid defensive skills in the paint at Georgia. While his perimeter game is still developing, he has shown the ability to knock down catch-and-shoot threes. Additionally, Newell is a strong athlete, which could be valuable alongside an aging Embiid.
Essengue, on the other hand, is a raw international talent still refining his game. He possesses a great frame and impressive athleticism, but right now, he does most of his damage in transition and around the rim. Compared to other prospects in the lottery range, he may need a year or two to fully develop his skill set — something that could make the Sixers hesitant to draft him if they want to maximize their “championship window”.
Murray-Boyles is the final forward of the three and is likely the most “NBA-ready.” As a versatile combo-forward, he has demonstrated impressive passing vision and scoring touch during his two years at South Carolina. Defensively, he can guard multiple positions and possesses the strength and length to hold his own in the paint, making him a well-rounded option for a team looking for immediate contributions.
Does a big man make any sense?
OG Process fans will remember the infamous center logjam featuring an injured Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Richaun Holmes. However, those days are long gone. The Sixers’ center rotation is seemingly set, with Embiid as the franchise cornerstone, rookie Bona developing as his backup, and Drummond likely opting into his player option.
So why would the Sixers even consider using a valuable draft asset on another big? Does it make any sense given their current roster construction? And if they do, who should they target?
At the end of the day, everything revolves around Embiid — for better or worse. Ideally, he’s able to fully recover from the knee issues that plagued him this past season. However, Daryl Morey and the Sixers’ front office must also consider the possibility that these concerns persist. That’s where selecting a big — not necessarily for next season, but with an eye toward the future — could become a realistic option.
There are two notable big men projected to go in the lottery: Duke’s Khaman Maluach and Maryland’s Derick Queen. Maluach is widely regarded as the better prospect, though his game remains raw and will require time to develop. He moves well for his size and has elite defensive upside, particularly as a shot-blocker. However, some may argue that Bona already provides a similar skill set, making the addition of another developmental big with a high-value pick somewhat redundant.
Queen, on the other hand, is a much more offensive-minded center. He has advanced footwork, a strong scoring touch around the rim, and impressive playmaking ability for a big. However, he lacks elite athleticism and is more of an under-the-rim player, which could limit his defensive versatility at the next level.
Ultimately, neither player seems like a natural fit for the Sixers as long as Embiid remains the franchise cornerstone. If the organization is confident in Embiid’s long-term outlook, it’s safe to assume they won’t use their first-round pick on a center. However, if there are lingering concerns about his durability, the door remains open — especially if the scouting department believes one of these prospects has star potential.
The Verdict
With a high lottery pick in hand, the Sixers have an opportunity to add a key piece to their roster — whether that be an immediate contributor or a long-term building block. Given their “win-now” aspirations, the front office could prioritize a player who can fit seamlessly into their rotation while also providing upside for the future.
There are several intriguing guard prospects who could fit alongside the Sixers’ core, offering additional scoring, playmaking and defensive versatility. However, given the team’s current roster construction, adding another forward appears to be a more pressing priority— especially if Oubre Jr. and/or Yabusele depart in free agency.
A potential departure of one or both forwards would leave the Sixers thin at the wing and power forward positions, forcing them to either rely heavily on smaller lineups or seek reinforcements in free agency. In today’s NBA, versatile forwards who can defend multiple positions, stretch the floor, and complement stars like Embiid and Maxey are invaluable.
However, securing a high-impact forward in this draft could be challenging if the Sixers miss out on the top-tier prospects. Flagg and Bailey would be ideal additions, but both are projected to be off the board before the fourth pick. Beyond them, options like Newell, Murray-Boyles and Knueppel present varying levels of fit and upside.
Assuming the Sixers keep their pick, the decision will ultimately come down to a balance of talent, fit and long-term vision. Do they add another dynamic guard to their already deep backcourt? Do they prioritize a versatile forward to shore up a potential area of need? Or do they take a swing on a high-upside prospect, regardless of position, in hopes of finding their next cornerstone?
With another pivotal offseason ahead, the Sixers have an opportunity to add a major piece to their championship puzzle. The question is: which direction will they take?
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