The Sixers are expected to make one last attempt to trade up to No. 2 for the chance to draft Dylan Harper, but it’s not likely to be successful, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). Fischer believes the Spurs have decided they want Harper to be part of their future and haven’t given serious consideration to parting with the pick.
Fischer adds that the most likely scenario is for the Sixers to stay at No. 3 unless there’s a sharp improvement in the offers from other teams. He also suggests that Ace Bailey remains in contention to be selected, even though he canceled a workout in Philadelphia and has sent out signals that he would rather be selected by a team that could offer guaranteed playing time and a larger role in the offense. Fischer still considers Bailey to be a strong fit alongside Joel Embiid and Paul George because of his shooting skills, but he acknowledges that V.J. Edgecombe is the “likely top contender” to go to Philadelphia.
If Bailey does get bypassed by the Sixers, Fischer doesn’t expect him to fall farther that the Wizards at No. 6. League sources tell him that Bailey declined a chance to work out for the Jazz, and it’s believed that he didn’t have an official visit with any of the lottery teams. Fischer points out that Washington meets Bailey’s requirements as a team that could offer “a healthy shot profile and on-ball creation opportunities.”
Fischer shares more inside information as the draft draws closer:
- The Nets are likely to pounce on point guard Jeremiah Fears if he’s still on the board at No. 8, Fischer states, noting that rumors of his preference for Brooklyn date back to the Draft Combine. Fears made visits to Utah and New Orleans, and Fischer believes his range appears to start with the fifth pick. Fischer also raises the possibility that the Nets could package some of the five first-rounders they have tonight to move up if they believe another team might select Fears.
- Fischer calls Khaman Maluach “the most consequential domino of the first round” apart from Bailey. He’s considered the top available big man, and Fischer notes that he helped himself with strong performances during the interview process. League sources tell Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports that the Pelicans are expected to try to trade up to land Bailey. If they’re unsuccessful, then Maluach could be their pick at No. 7 if he’s still on the board. O’Connor hears that some lottery teams have Maluach ranked in their top two or three and he’s considered “one of the most popular trade-up targets.”
- Fischer believes the Pelicans mark the start of Derik Queen‘s range if someone else takes Maluach, but he adds that the Spurs may try to trade up from No. 14 for the Duke center, while the Raptors at No. 9 also have him highly rated.
- Cedric Coward has been improving his status throughout the pre-draft process, and Fischer doesn’t expect him to fall past the teens. Sources tell Fischer that Coward has interest from the Trail Blazers at No. 11 and he has worked out multiple times for the Thunder, who hold the 15th pick. Fischer hears that the Nets are hoping to land Coward at No. 19, but they may need to trade up to have a chance.
- NCAA Tournament star Walter Clayton Jr. has “multiple suitors” in the early 20s, according to Fischer. He cites league insiders who believe Clayton and Jase Richardson could be targets for the Kings if they’re able to trade for a pick in that range.
- There’s an expectation that this will be an active trading night, possibly starting with the Sixers at No. 3 and the Hornets at No. 4. “There’s gonna be at least four or five (trades),” a Western Conference team strategist told Fischer.
Really hope there are some trades because the drafts have been pretty boring as of late. Think there has only been one or two lottery trades in the past few years…
Taking Bailey at 3 is the exact sixers thing to do. The dude clearly doesn’t want to play for them
Remember how that worked out for the timberwolves and Steph curry?
That would be a huge mistake for the 76ers…but not because he doesn’t want to play for them; rather, it would be a mistake because he is raw and will need a lot of playing time and permission to make mistakes because he is just a kid and his development path is longer than some other kids. The 76ers should (a) draft someone who won’t make a lot of mistakes that could undermine their effort to make the playoffs, (b) trade the pick, or (c) draft Bailey and blow it up. Which brings us back to his situation, which is that he has identified a team that actually wants him and has no plan to try for the playoffs this year (Washington’s pick was traded with top 8 protection) so they are going to try to be one of the worst teams in the league so they can keep their pick. They will let Ace Bailey make as many mistakes as they can this year next to a Carrington, Sarr, Coulibaly, Johnson, and George.
Bailey will play where he is drafted.
Still holding out hope that as a Sixers fan we make a trade.
Get rid of PG and trade back
Would love to make a deal with the Jazz for Lauri Markeneen and the 5th pick
If not Blazers, Paul George and pick 3 for Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant and pick 11
As a Sixer fan all I want is a drama free draft where we pick a player who wants to play for us. I know that’s a big ask with this franchise.
As a sixers fan I hope Morey keeps it simple and smart, draft Ace bailey.
No he is the player who will bite us in the you know what when he complains about not getting enough shots
ass, you can say ass
Right, or when Sixers fans complain that he is turning the ball over and missing shots because what Sixers fans want is to actually make the playoffs which would mean that the hest situation for Ace’s development in the 76ers org would possibly be the G league, and a team that wants to make the playoffs doesn’t necessarily want to draft someone at 3 who ends up not contributing to a playoff push (the Rockets did that last year with Reed Sheppard but that team has an embarrassment of riches so that’s different).
Wrong,he is a player that if you pass on him he will come back to bite you in the a$$.
I don’t think that is true for teams that can’t give him the low-pressure playing time that he will need to develop his game. If he gets drafted 3rd and sits on the end of the bench, he isn’t biting anyone in the a$$.
Unless Morey has a very strong top choice at 3, I see the Sixers trading down 1 to 4 spots and picking up a future 1st Rounder probably in 2026 when they have no draft picks.
I don’t know who will give up a big package to trade up. Everyone knows the 76ers want to compete next year, so project guys with high ceilings (Bailey) are probably out for them. Someone would have to have really strong feeling that Edgecombe is way better than the other players in the likely 3-7 group, and be concerned that Philly will draft him.
That’s a smart strategy