The Sixers will listen to offers for the No. 3 pick in next month’s draft, but they aren’t expected to part with it unless they get another high selection in return, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports in his latest Substack column (subscription required).
There has been speculation that president of basketball operations Daryl Morey might be interested in moving the pick in exchange for a veteran who could offer immediate help to a team that’s coming off a 24-58 season. However, Fischer states that the front office recognizes the value of having young players on rookie-scale contracts in the apron era.
Jared McCain, last year’s first-round pick, got off to a strong start before tearing his meniscus in December and undergoing season-ending surgery. Morey is counting on McCain to return and form a solid young core with Tyrese Maxey and this year’s pick that will fit well alongside Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Fischer indicates that rival teams with interest in trading for the No. 3 pick are split over whether Rutgers forward Ace Bailey or Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe is the better selection. He adds that Texas guard Tre Johnson may also be in that mix.
Fischer shares more inside information from around the NBA:
- The Sixers aren’t trying to get rid of George, and Fischer calls recent reports that they might package the No. 3 pick to unload his contract a “misread” of the situation. Fischer states that the team understands George’s value is at a low point coming off an injury-plagued season, and teams will be wary of taking his contract, which has three years and $162.4MM remaining. Fischer adds that Philadelphia is unlikely to pursue a George trade unless he requests it.
- “Numerous rival teams” have told Fischer that they expect the Spurs to hold onto the No. 2 selection and draft Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, even though he’s not a perfect fit with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.
- The Suns haven’t started trade discussions involving Kevin Durant, and Fischer cautions that it’s not a sure thing he’ll be moved this summer. New general manager Brian Gregory has been focused on finding a head coach, trimming the list of candidates down to nine over the weekend. Fischer reports that Phoenix will be in the market for a starting-level center during the offseason.
- Jrue Holiday has been a popular name in trade rumors, but Fischer hears that the Celtics may not have an easy time moving him. Multiple rival executives have told Fischer that Boston will have to include a sweetener, likely in the form of draft picks, to get anyone to take on the $104MM that the 34-year-old Holiday is owed over the next three years.
The best match for a Jrue Holiday deal might be the Lakers… and the idea of a major deal between the long time rivals makes it pretty unlikely. But the Lakers could offer a couple of expiring contracts like Rui and Kleber, players that can help cushion the loss of Tatum in the short run, and provide payroll relief after that.
And as suggested, the Lakers might be able to extract draft capital as well for taking on JH’s contract.
It could also allow the Lakers to consider deals for Reaves.
I agree
They can effectively give up nothing but empty contracts to make it happen
He improved their d dramatically
It’s a really good fit
Holiday would not be a Major trade. Nothing Major about holiday.
Only reason to trade holiday is to trim salary. I don’t think the lakers can take on extra salary, so not sure this makes sense. If the Celtics take back as much salary as they send out then it probably makes more sense to keep holiday on the roster. He is still good, just not 100mil over 3 years good.
in the short run, it doesn’t reduce their payroll by much, but they are taking in 1 year deals and moving a 3 yr deal. It will create space after the 25/26 szn.
The only other way is to deal with a team that has cap space and there are only a couple of those i believe, with the Nets having the most space. As good as JH is, he doesn’t fit the Nets timeline but maybe they’re a 3rd facilitator team for a Jrue Holiday deal.
Or a team with space under the luxury tax or 1st apron. They can take back more than they send out, although not has much as being under the cap. I think there are a few in this group. Heat, clippers, bucks, pelicans, blazers maybe the mavs, and some other teams that are in that mid tier looking to get better.
For example, I think jrue to the clippers for bogdan and jones jr. works under the rules and saves 6-7 mil for the Celtics. Just an example. Or jrue to the heat for rozier as another.
Under your format possibly
Bos- Vincent Klieber
Lakers -Holliday
3rd team (using MLE ) – Gets 30 pick from Bos this year and an extra 2nd rder a piece from Bos and Lal to take on Vando
Idk if thats enough for a 3rd team, 30 pick basically glorified 2nd rder and Vandos got 3/36 left still
**As a Laker fan I dont like it all that much even if it puts Hollidays minus Vandos salary down to 25 ish range rather than 35 year 2 and 3
Holiday and #28 pick to heat for rozier. KD to heat for Wiggins, Duncan Robison, #20 pick and 2031 pick. There I made the heat good again, and me sad because I am not a heat fan.
The sixers would be wise to draft at 3 and get a young talent. I just hope they choose wisely
My preference with the 3 pick
1 trade
A Brooklyn 8-19 and our 2028 back
B Washington 6 and either 18 or a future first
C Charlotte for the 4 and extra or add in Drummond and Gordon for Salaun
D Jazz 5 + 21 + future pick
2 keep the pick
A Ace
B Edgecomb
Terrible terrible take. Morey needs to keep it simple stupid. Bailey at 3 and make sure Drummond, Gordon and oubre can read between the lines.
If Morey and the FO is sold on Bailey or Edgecomb or to a lesser degree Tre or one of the other names being floated in this range by all means take them. I am not sold on anyone in the 3-10 range although I like them to varying degrees. My preference is to trade back and get additional assets. I do expect them to keep the pick and take Ace/VJ/Tre, but we will see
Philly,I’m no bailey fan but Tre and edgecomb just are to repetitive position wise for my liking. Agree they will keep the pick.
They’re not going anywhere
Gonna be tough to keep fat bear without an exception available
Get Ace please so hornets can get VJ. Hornets are more fun to watch. Sixers have made so many poor draft choices since the process era, I expect them to do it again and not select VJ.
The hornets are the worst organization in NBA history,so mute yourself.
You’re a hurt rubbit. Emotional replies don’t help you feel better they expose you. I said hornets are more exciting to watch. Disagree and move on.
Yea coz the hornets draft so well…perpetual lottery team with one all star appearance to show for it. Hell, even Ben Simmons was an allstar. I wouldn’t bank on the hornets drafting the right player
Yet you all wanted wiz or jazz to get #1 right give no fox?
1) I have never said anything of the sort and prefer keeping the pick
2) what does that have to do with you talking ish about the Sixers drafting failures when the hornets have a far worse track record
Holiday is still a top PG in this L. He is a bargain at that price. If he was on Rockets. Rockets would be playing Thunder right now. J V is making 20 mill more a year ………. Lear the game.
Holiday is a 2way player ….. He’s an upgrade over Reaves and helps hide Lukas lack of playing D.
I hope Dallas gets him ….
No shot do the Spurs keep De’Aaron Fox. He will be traded.
Fox has 1 year and $37M left on his deal
Warriors have the 22 year old Moody at 3/$39M starting now
Could be a nice baseline to a larger deal, or the parts these teams throw into a multi-teamer
Holiday to the Magic. The missing piece
Magic are afraid to make big trades…