From Ace Bailey to VJ Edgecombe, let’s see who experts are picking for the Sixers at no. 3 as the 2025 NBA Draft rapidly approaches.
With only the rest of the Finals between the Pacers and Thunder to go before this season comes to a close, it’s nearly time for the full focus of the NBA world to shift to the 2025 Draft. And thanks to some lottery luck going the Sixers’ way, there’s plenty to look forward to and think about this year with the third overall pick.
As draft day draws closer and intel changes, we’re seeing some movement in experts’ mocks. With that in mind, let’s catch up on some recent mock drafts and focus on the most popular choices for the Sixers’ lottery pick.
Spoiler alert: Ace Bailey is awfully popular right now…
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman is one of several experts going with Ace Bailey to the Sixers at the moment, highlighting Bailey’s serious scoring potential for the future as the highlight for when Philly’s stars get even older:
While some observers were disappointed by Ace Bailey’s 6’7.5” barefoot measurement, he still brings valuable size and length for a scoring wing, including a 7’0.5” wingspan that gives him a clear physical edge.
The Sixers may also take a hard look at VJ Edgecombe, who offers a burst of athleticism and defensive quickness that differs from Bailey’s game. However, with Paul George just turning 35 after a down year and questions surrounding Joel Embiid’s durability and long-term value, Bailey’s shot-making upside could prove more appealing to Philadelphia’s front office.
Yahoo! Sports
Kevin O’Connor from Yahoo! Sports is another. O’Connor digs a bit deeper into both sides of the argument with Bailey, though. Do you embrace his shot-making talent and upside, with the size and defensive tools to fit nicely at the 3 next to the Sixers’ smaller guards? Or do you go in another direction, due to Bailey’s current limited efficiency, decision-making issues, and sometimes ill-advised shot selection? There’s a learning curve to maximize Bailey’s offense before he’d be an ideal fit next to Joel Embiid while the emphasis is to win now.
Here’s how O’Connor sums it up:
“On one side of the debate, the Rutgers freshman is viewed as a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. And at his size, he fits next to Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain in the years to come. While his upside is clear, the other side of the debate rightfully wonders: Can the Sixers afford to wait on Bailey to maybe turn into something when the clock is ticking on the Joel Embiid era? And how realistically will Bailey accept a backseat role? In Chicago he was asked about his wild shot selection and said: “That might be a bad shot to you, you don’t work on it. I work on it.” The issue is he made only 36.4% of his midrange pull-ups and 24.4% of his pull-up 3s. If he’s willing to change his shot diet, then concerns about his short-term fit in Philly would be alleviated. But not entirely. Bailey’s shooting inconsistency, plus his raw edges as a shot creator and defender, need sanding down.”
The Ringer
The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann and Danny Chau in their latest mock have moved from Tre Johnson to Bailey for the Sixers. Here’s their reasoning:
“I’ve had Tre Johnson earmarked for Philly for a while because he could be a great plug-and-play fit, but Bailey does a lot of similar things (albeit not quite as efficiently in the movement shooting from 3), while also having more size and defensive upside. Bailey doesn’t have to become a superstar to make an impact in the NBA. His something-from-nothing shotmaking, even without taking a single dribble, will be a helpful option when possessions go south. And once some easy offense comes into his life after he trudged through possessions at Rutgers, it’s highly possible that his strengths will pop even more than they did in college…”
SB Nation
After all the Bailey buzz, let’s mix it up a bit. SB Nation’s own Ricky O’Donnell has gone in a different direction in his latest mock this week: it’s VJ Edgecombe to Philly instead.
Here are a few of his thoughts:
If Philly does stick with the pick, they have lots of good options. I ranked the eight best players the Sixers could take at No. 3, and landed on VJ Edgecombe and Kon Knueppel as the top two choices. While I still favor Knueppel for the Sixers, Edgecombe is generally ranked higher on boards and feels like a safer projection. Philly’s perimeter would be a bit small with either player, but Edgecombe’s athleticism and defensive playmaking, and Knueppel’s shooting and offensive playmaking would make either a solid selection.
Apart from drafts/picks where it’s a complete foregone conclusion who should be taken — like a LeBron James or Zion Williamson going first overall — there are usually rumors about trade possibilities. That’s been the case with the Sixers, too. Unsurprisingly, some have speculated that the Sixers could look to attach the third pick to a key player and some of their hefty contracts (hello, Paul George) and bring in some more experienced talent for next season. Alternatively, maybe they could look to trade back a little later in the lottery and pick up an extra asset, seeing as their are multiple players who could nicely suit the team in the top 10.
There are plenty of good options at no. 3, though. Including high-upside players who could help the team and raise the ceiling for the future alongside Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, even if George and Embiid decline sooner than hoped if the battle against injuries and father time doesn’t go in their favor.
Another interesting option who hasn’t come up at all in this mock roundup is Kon Knueppel. There’d be some defensive concerns with Maxey, McCain and the 6-foot-5 Knueppel, yet the offensive possibilities by adding Knueppel as a sharp complementary passer and arguably the best shooter in this draft class can’t be ignored.
Whatever they decide, the Sixers have a highly valuable trade trip, or an exciting rookie talent to draft. We’ll keep you posted on all the latest draft noise as it approaches.