The Philadelphia 76ers hold a potentially valuable asset for their future in the 2028 NBA Draft. This pick, owed to them by the Los Angeles Clippers, is unprotected and could play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s direction. By 2028, the Sixers will be in a position to draft a prospect who could become the next franchise cornerstone or even a future star alongside their established core. With no protections attached to the pick, it gives Philadelphia full control over one of the most intriguing assets of that year’s draft.
The Philadelphia 76ers Have Embiid’s Successor In Their Sights
Clippers’ Uncertain Future
The Clippers’ 2028 pick could become extremely valuable for multiple reasons. The team’s long-term outlook is uncertain. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are the cornerstones of their current roster. They will both be at the end of their current contracts by the time this draft takes place. Their roster could undergo a dramatic overhaul. Given the limitations of recent Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) changes, it will be harder to acquire stars through trades. Free agency has also become a less reliable method for rebuilding. Unless the Clippers land a major free agent in 2027, their roster might lack depth and talent. Ivica Zubac is the only player locked in for the 2027-28 season. This highlights how thin the team might be. If the Clippers experience a significant downturn, this will result in a high lottery pick for the 76ers.
Philadelphia’s Strategic Flexibility
Daryl Morey, the 76ers’ President of Basketball Operations, is no stranger to building around superstar talent. Morey’s track record includes developing MVPs like Harden and Joel Embiid. He helped develop Harden into an MVP in Houston and guided Embiid to his MVP form in Philadelphia. With the Clippers pick in the 2028 draft, he will have another opportunity to shape the 76ers’ future. Depending on how the Sixers fare in the coming seasons, the 2028 pick could serve several different purposes.
One possible scenario is that the 76ers draft Embiid’s successor. By 2028, Embiid will be 34 years old, and his health could be a lingering concern. While Embiid has established himself as an MVP-caliber player, his durability has always been questioned. If the Sixers struggle to win a championship in the coming years, they may look to rebuild around a future star. In that case, they could use the Clippers’ pick to draft a new franchise cornerstone to lead the team into the post-Embiid era.
An Ideal Scenario For The Sixers: Adding a Future Star
Another potential outcome is more optimistic. If the 76ers win a championship before 2028 and Embiid remains relatively healthy, they could use this pick to draft a future star to complement Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. By 2028, Maxey will be 27 years old, entering his prime, and continuing to improve as a player. Embiid, even at 34, could still be a dominant force if he manages his health. In this scenario, the Sixers would already be a contender, and this 2028 pick could allow them to replace an aging Paul George with a younger, high-upside talent, further extending their championship window.
2028 Draft
The 2028 NBA Draft is projected to have strong depth, with several top-end prospects likely to be available. Given Morey’s knack for identifying and developing talent, he could land the Sixers a future star. Whether it’s a high lottery pick or a mid-first-round selection, the Clippers’ struggles might make this pick highly valuable. A deep draft with franchise-altering players could provide the 76ers with a significant boost, regardless of their situation at that time.
The Future Beyond Embiid
Even if Embiid leaves Philadelphia before 2028, the 76ers will still hold this key draft pick. Should Embiid seek a championship elsewhere, as some speculated he might if the Sixers continue to fall short, this pick becomes even more critical. Philadelphia could then focus on a complete rebuild and use the pick to draft the next face of the franchise. In a league where talent is the ultimate currency, having an unprotected first-round pick could accelerate any rebuilding effort.
The Last Word
The 2028 Clippers pick is an under-the-radar asset that could pay enormous dividends for the 76ers. With the Clippers’ uncertain future and the potential for a deep draft, Philadelphia might find themselves in a position to draft a game-changing player. Whether they’re building for the post-Embiid era or adding to an already successful core, the 76ers hold a critical card in the 2028 NBA Draft.
