NBA Draft: Should the Sixers stick or twist on Ace?
- uk76ers
- May 14
- 15 min read
Updated: May 17
After last nights stress-inducing draft lottery, the Philadelphia 76ers have finally got an insight into how next season is going to shape up having landed the 3rd overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft which takes place on the 26th June (UK Time). The Sixers began the evening with an early scare after the ESPN commentary team pre-emptively (And wrongly) announced the loss of our pick, only to retract their statement moments later, much to the relief of on-stage Sixer representative Jared McCain. Several heart palpitations after this mishap, the Sixers found themselves in amongst the top 4 alongside the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets, making them second favourites to land the highly sought after, and unanimous number 1 pick Cooper Flagg. In quick fashion, Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum went on to reveal that it was the Hornets with the number 4 pick making the Sixers not just the favourites for Flagg, but the overwhelming favourites. Prior to the start of the lottery, the Sixers had a 10.5% chance of landing Flagg, compared to the Spurs' 6% and the Mavs' 1.8% chance, any gambling man would've had the number 1 pick returning to Philly for the first time in 8 years, since the infamous Markelle Fultz pick. Despite the maths working in our favour it wasn't to be, and we find ourselves gratefully settling for the number 3 pick, but secretly dismayed that we couldn't break into the top 2 at the very least, with Dylan Harper and Cooper Flagg emerging as two young stars who have streaked ahead of the rest of the draft class.
Ultimately, the ping pong balls have landed favourably. It's easy to forget how worried we were before the lottery and just having a pick at this rate is a blessing, especially considering how much is riding on the Sixers bouncing back in the 2025/26 season. All the draft boards will say that once Cooper Flagg goes to Dallas and Dylan Harper more than likely heads to San Antonio, the Sixers will look to Rutgers forward Ace Bailey, a 6'7 scorer with an ability to score at all 3 levels as well as having an imposing 7ft wingspan and 8ft 11 standing reach. Bailey has all the ingredients needed to become a potential all-star calibre 2-way forward with some even comparing him to the Sixers very own Paul George. However despite the obvious upside associated with Bailey many have already lodged their concerns. This has led to the Sixers not just having the dilemma of choosing who to select, but some have question whether this is a pick worth trading down, or even trading away. What we'll look to do is assess every realistic option available to the Sixers starting with the most obvious one, which is of course biting the bullet and drafting Ace Bailey with the number 3 pick.
Option 1: Draft Ace Bailey at number 3
Of all the options available to the Sixers this seems to be the most realistic, and understandably so. It's certainly easy to focus on Bailey's shortcomings, as Sixer fans it's easy to be cynical and express concern about any draft-related activity given our history of making cataclysmic errors: drafting Markelle Fultz over Jayson Tatum in 2017 and trading Mikal Bridges for Zhaire Smith on draft night in 2018. Both of these disasters still haunt fans to this date, but that by no means should suggest that the same will happen this time around. A lot can be said about the shortcomings of Daryl Morey since he became GM in 2020 but no one can doubt his prowess when it comes to drafting talent. Since Morey's 'de facto' takeover from Elton Brand the Sixers have drafted Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and Isaiah Joe, none of which being taken with a pick higher than number 16 so imagine what a man of Moreys talent can do with number 3. It is because of this that leads me to think that if Ace's name gets called I have faith in the decision-making of the front office that they made the correct pick.
One thing that's worth noting with Bailey from the offset, is that we have to dispel the myth of him being a 6'10 reincarnation of Kevin Durant. It's been found that Bailey is just 6'7 without shoes, but as alluded to earlier his other measurements make him a handful on both ends of the floor. Although Bailey has all the natural ability to be a strong defensive weapon, having regularly showcased an ability to provide some mean blocks, it's on offence where he lights up and with the Sixers suffering greatly on that end when they're unable to rely on their "big 3", someone like Bailey coming in to lessen the load would be invaluable for this side. Bailey has proven himself to be one of, if not the best shot maker in this draft class. Any highlight reel of Bailey's will exhibit just how good he is at making those tough shots, he does this at a relatively efficient rate too, shooting 35% from 3 on 5 attempts a game and being 46% from the field. Bailey has a lot a weapons in his arsenal, displaying a smooth step-back jumper and a nice pull up or fade away middy to name just a few. When in and around the paint he converts at a solid rate of 56%, but getting to the paint remains an issue in and of itself.
Despite all of the advantages associated with Ace, he's not got the tightest handle or the smoothest dribble. Consequently if he's chased off of the 3-point line or closely guarded, you'd struggle to back him to make the correct play. Too often this results in tunnel vision leading to poor shots being taken so many have expressed concern about his shot diet. With Bailey only getting to the rim in the half court at a frequency of 15%- one of the lowest percentages in the draft class, it's imperative he finds a way to make the correct play on offence. It's crucial to remember that Bailey is still incredibly young at just 18 years old (turning 19 in August). There is plenty of time to mold Bailey into the all-star forward we want him to be and that cannot be understated. Criticism has been rather unfairly sent to both Bailey and his Rutgers team mate Dylan Harper for not even qualifying for the March Madness tournament, but it's worth noting that as a member of the 'Big 10' division Bailey was playing against some of the finest college teams in the country: Purdue, Michigan, UCLA, and Maryland to name a few. Of course it's disappointing that two top 3 picks couldn't squeeze their way in, but it is really important to contextualise such criticisms.
My conclusion with Bailey is simple, if Daryl trusts him, I trust him. Morey has made a habit of regularly succeeding in the draft. In an interview conducted after the lottery he made his stance quite plain- "We're going to go with the best player there". This is a stance I'll whole heartedly agree with, we've seen before teams trying to get too cute with their picks perhaps going for 'fit' over talent. One only has to look to the Golden State Warriors choosing James Wiseman over Lamelo Ball with the number 2 pick in the 2020 draft. Morey adds that "if you look at the history of the league, the mistakes are made when you when you don’t just take the best player there.” And once again he's hit the nail on the head. Ace Bailey has an incredibly high ceiling and he provides the best fit for what the Sixers need right now- a sizeable scoring wing who can defend. These two things coupled together should make the drafting of Ace a no brainer. Of course it's understandable why some will make their reservations clear, he is raw in many ways, he does need to put on some more muscle, but once again he's just 18 years old. Time is on his side, if we just get a playable power forward out of this draft for the upcoming season you'd have to consider that a victory. Bailey can complement Embiid and George now as a stretch 4 with some shot creation and defensive savviness, whilst simultaneously being part of the future too, hopefully morphing into an all-star alongside our young core of Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Justin Edwards, and Adem Bona.
Option 2: Draft V.J. Edgecombe at number 3
If the Sixers decide that maybe the risk is too great when it comes to Ace Bailey, that realistically leaves only one other candidate to take with the number 3 pick, that person being V.J. Edgecombe, a 19 year old shooting guard for the Baylor Bears. Standing at 6'5, one of the most striking aspects of Edgecombe's game is his explosiveness and athleticism. He has garnered comparisons already to the great Vince Carter perhaps the NBA player most synonymous with explosivity and dynamic plays around the rim. Simply put Edgecombe is box office entertainment. When considering his fit in Philly however, one might immediately wonder how the Sixers would make this backcourt rotation work. There are two guard spots, with Maxey guaranteed to occupy one of these and with the Sixers wanting to continue the development of Jared McCain it does seem a bit difficult to see how Edgecombe fits into all of this both in the short and the long-run. Matters are made more complicated too with the Sixers having the bird rights to Quentin Grimes, someone they've already expressed a keen interest in re-signing this off season. That being said, this does take us back to Daryl Morey's quote- "We're going to go with the best player there" and there's a reasonable claim that V.J will be the best player available.
With Baylor, V.J. put up an impressive statline of 15/6/3 per game, shooting 44% from the field and 34% from 3 on 5 attempts a game. What's worth noting out of all of this is how much his shot improved over the season, making it clear that this is something that can continue to develop, but also that Edgecombe is the sort of player who will not stop until his game has been fully refined. With Baylor of course, scouts have seen the best of V.J. but he also shone brightly while playing for the Bahamas national team in the Olympic qualifying tournament in July. The Bahamas failed to make the Olympics, but in two games Edgecombe outperformed his teammates and current NBA players Buddy Hield, Eric Gordon and DeAndre Ayton. He was flying through the air for impressive dunks in transition, hitting corner threes and getting steals against players sometimes twice his age. This would indicate his readiness for the NBA as early as last year. With another year of college basketball under his belt, one would have to assume Edgecombe's game has kept on improving and that he can match those performances showcased in the Olympic qualifying games and most likely better them.
Given his size and build, Edgecombe can compete with the best of them on both ends. When it comes to the Sixers we've certainly missed having a guard we can place next to Maxey who can offer a greater level of defensive security. Immediately V.J. would likely become one of our best backcourt defenders, and with the potential for growth be that through more muscle mass being put on or by simply growing an extra few inches the Sixers would love to have the ability to move V.J. to the small forward position where appropriate. Like any draft pick he does need work, his playmaking and 3 point shooting still needs to become more consistent, but this last season has shown his desire to be the best version of himself having increased his per game output in the month of January by nearly 3 points, raising his 3-point percentage too by a whopping 9%. On a purely personal level, the main cause of concern I have about V.J. is not so much whether he'll be a good NBA player it's more so whether he fits what the Sixers need going forward. I don't see him getting too many minutes with the SG/SF roles being clogged enough as is in our current roster, and the idea of taking a punt on him based off of the hope he may grow tall enough to a point where we can slot him in at the small forward position is a risk I'm not entirely comfortable with. But, he's an undoubted talent with so much upside and arguably a much higher floor than Ace Bailey. if Daryl decides V.J. is his guy then I'd happily welcome him to the city of Brotherly Love, although I will be somewhat apprehensive as to whether we'd be able to give him the time he needs to fully maximise his potential.
Option 3: Draft Dylan Harper at number 3 after the Spurs pass on him at 2
This is a bit of a stretch but there is absolutely some method to this madness. In February of this year the San Antonio Spurs traded for 27 year old all-star point guard De'Aaron Fox parting with a first round pick in the process. This allowed Fox to learn from veteran point guard Chris Paul and alleviated some of the pressure off of eventual rookie of the year winner Stephon Castle. Clearly, the Spurs already have three fantastic guards in their backcourt as well as guards-cum-forwards Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson. It can be argued therefore that there is no need to add Dylan Harper into this mix, that in fact someone like Ace Bailey would be a much better fit in this Spurs side providing more scoring on the wings to help Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox whilst also not stifling the development of promising talent Stephon Castle.
If the Spurs did decide that Harper was surplus to requirements then the Sixers would be foolish to let this one pass. Harper is the perfect backcourt partner for Tyrese Maxey being the well-sized, playmaking point guard that he is. At 6'7 Dylan Harper is able to dominate and work around most guards, especially given the size advantage he has. Even when he's up against someone of a similar stature, Harper can turn to his crafty and slippery play on the ball to create for others or indeed score for himself. Harper does everything you want a point guard to do, and this is reflected in the numbers, tallying an impressive 19/5/4 on 48% from the field. His shot could do with a bit of work just to ensure it doesn't come out too flat, but the tricky lefty can easily get that problem fixed considering that shooting 33% on 5 attempts a game is easily improved and is hardly a terrible starting point.
We've discussed on plenty of occasions the ideal person to partner Maxey in the backcourt. I myself am of the belief that Tyrese is simply not a point guard, he's asked to do to much and that comes at the detriment of his game. Like Allen Iverson before him he's got plenty of on-ball ability, but sometimes less is more when it comes to Tyrese. What Iverson did have however that elevated his game was a playmaking point guard who could lessen the load for him, this was Eric Snow. It's no coincidence that the last time the Sixers franchise got to the finals was when A.I had Snow alongside him in the backcourt with Snow averaging 8/8/3 as well as providing some stellar defence, making an all-defensive team later on in 2003. Dylan Harper could be Tyrese Maxeys Eric Snow, but the crucial difference is the offensive upside Harper has on Snow. Harpers ability to score wherever he wants in the halfcourt keeps defences honest and keeps them guessing, all the while taking the attention away from our big 3, creating easy looks for them on the perimeter or in the post. It's well known that the Sixers should look to bolster their wing depth, but if the Spurs are mad enough to pass on him we have to be the first ones waiting in line ready to snap him up.
Option 4: Trade down
With Sixer, Spurs, and Mavs fans celebrating their luck after the lottery. The likes of Brooklyn, Utah, and Washington must be sat wondering when their luck will start to turn. Objectively speaking the latter three of these aforementioned teams are in far more need of a top three pick. In need of someone who'll sell tickets, sell jerseys, and potentially be someone they can build a contending team around for the next decade. Despite this, they've found themselves in the middle ground occupying the 5th, 6th, and 8th pick respectively. Meanwhile, one could argue that the Sixers don't need to find the future MVP of the league, in fact what they need is someone who'll neatly slot in to their current roster, perform a useful supplementary role and help get the best out of what Philly have already. Some therefore have suggested that the Sixers trade their pick down receiving draft compensation and/or some nice rotation pieces.
If for example the Sixers chose to deal with the Utah Jazz they could drop to the 5th pick and acquire up some nice picks for the future, an invaluable asset considering Utah aren't likely to make the playoffs any time soon. If the Sixers hypothetically did this, they could then look to draft someone like Duke small forward Kon Knueppel who in terms of fit, would be a fantastic addition to the Sixers roster. 19 year old Knueppel somewhat faded into the background by virtue of the fact that his teammate at Duke was A-lister Cooper Flagg, but don't let that detract from Knueppel's impact on the Blue Devils for this past season. At 6'7 Knueppel is ready-made for the NBA, he's a playmaking wing that can score at all 3 levels averaging 14/4/3 on the season. One of Knueppels most enticing talents is his lights out shooting, averaging 41% on 5 attempts a game, in fact, Kon was near enough a member of the 50/40/90 club for this past season illustrating his efficiency when it comes to scoring. With Maxey, George, and Embiid taking the attention of NBA defenders, having someone like Kon you can swing to will be such a complementary asset to have. What's more, Knueppel is not just a guy to stick in the corner. He's shown himself to be a more than capable playmaker too, alleviating the pressure off of Maxey who at times last year was simply asked to do too much with the ball. Defensively, Knueppel is fine. Perhaps there's a concern that he may get beaten regularly by more athletic wings, but there's far more to like than dislike with Kon.
Alternatively the Sixers could have a conversation with Sean Marks and the Brooklyn Nets who like Utah desperately need an exciting youngster to turn around their fortunes. Unfortunately for Brooklyn the number 8 pick isn't too helpful in solving that problem. They therefore may want to trade up with the Sixers and may even look to part with a wing like Cam Johnson, a player who seems to regularly torch the Sixers, and frankly should be on a play off team. Johnson would fit perfectly at the power forward position for the Sixers and he can be joined in the wing rotation by University of South Carolina prospect Collin Murray-Boyles. Murray-Boyles is projected to fall in and around Brooklyn's number 8 pick and he's an incredibly intriguing draftee. Most draft experts will tell you he is the best defender in this class. A big bruising wing, CMB uses his 6'8 frame to dominate on the boards and to get up shots in the paint, notching a healthy 17/8/2 on the last season. However, his nearly non-existent three point shot is a cause for concern. With our history of drafting players with shooting hitches this would certainly be a huge risk to take if Morey decides this is the best route going forward. Honestly, I don't think Daryl would entertain these ideas due to the inherent risk associated with it. In a season that has to go right, to trade down from the number three pick would be a gutsy call, and probably an option I'd warn against even if I'd expect Knueppel and CMB to have good NBA careers.
Option 5: Trade the pick for a 'win now' player
I'll admit, the chances of this are close to nil. But fans have demanded we use this pick in an attempt to lure Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee, fresh after the Bucks 1st round exit. With rumours swirling around the NBA about Giannis' future, it does seem that he will be moving on to pastures new and of course when someone of Giannis' stature requests a trade, the whole league is on watch. Sixer fans have therefore speculated that a potential trade could look something along the lines of Giannis for Paul George, Jared McCain and the 3rd overall pick. Whilst of course this isn't the worst package in the world, we as fans sometimes forget that when someone like Giannis becomes available you are competing against every other team in the NBA to acquire him. So the question has to boil down to: "do we have the best trade package"? For which the answer of course is "no".
When you consider how many young assets and picks both the Spurs and Thunder can send to Milwaukee we already find that we simply do not have enough, Milwaukee are completely dry on picks after sending them away for packages for Kyle Kuzma and Damian Lillard, they shipped so many out that the next time the Bucks have complete control of their first round pick is 2031, so they'll be demanding some hefty draft capital making OKC a no-brainer option for the 'Greek Freak.' Likewise, should Giannis depart, the Bucks would want to usher in the post-Antetokounmpo era by having an exciting young star to build around, not by acquiring a 35 year old Paul George who brings with him one of the worst contracts in the NBA. It's always a fun idea to fire up the trade machine and change the very fabric of the league with one almighty trade, but unfortunately this is not 2K, Giannis won't be coming to Philly, and unless anyone of his all-NBA stature becomes available I cannot see the Sixers parting with their pick.
What option should the Sixers take in the NBA Draft?
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Comments