{"id":129238,"date":"2025-03-17T20:39:41","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T00:39:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=129238"},"modified":"2025-03-17T20:39:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T00:39:41","slug":"sixers-2025-nba-draft-pick-key-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/17\/sixers-2025-nba-draft-pick-key-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Sixers 2025 NBA Draft Pick Is Key To Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philadelphia 76ers will now finish the remainder of 2024-25 without either Joel Embiid<\/a> or Paul George<\/a>, their two most proven stars. In Embiid\u2019s case, his injury is so severe that he\u2019s considering radical surgeries<\/a>\u00a0that could have long-term effects. George\u2019s melange of maladies<\/a> are milder but have still prevented him from being his best self.<\/p>\n

Sixers 2025 NBA Draft Pick Is Key To Future<\/h2>\n

Looking forward, what should\u2019ve been a bright future for the Sixers now seems sort of gloomy.<\/p>\n

Their best players are on the mend. Their best players are also on the wrong side of 30. This could lead to an inevitable decline, their bodies breaking down despite their desire to play.<\/p>\n

If so, Philadelphia will be faced with two options: remodel or rebuild.<\/p>\n

Remodeling<\/h3>\n

If they choose to remodel, George could find himself being shipped out for another All-Star-caliber player. Embiid\u2019s trade value is probably pretty low right now<\/a> given his current state. Yet, if he came out the gates strong next season, it\u2019s possible that they could try to get teams to bite on a deal by the trade deadline. Last but not least, the Sixers could use their 2025 first-round pick as a bargaining chip.<\/p>\n

Right now, Philadelphia has the sixth-best odds of winning the No. 1 pick. They have a 37.2 percent chance of their first-rounder landing in the top-four. Teams like the Utah Jazz may be willing to move a star \u2014say Lauri Markkanen<\/a> \u2014in a package that includes said pick, depending on how the ping pong balls fall in the NBA Draft Lottery.<\/p>\n

Rebuilding<\/h3>\n

If they choose to rebuild all of those options are still on the table.<\/p>\n

However, they\u2019ll place more value in their draft pick. Given their taste for the playoffs, the Sixers would certainly prefer an established talent. Nonetheless, between their high payroll and the uncertainty of their stars\u2019 futures, it might be more prudent to acquire a young franchise cornerstone.<\/p>\n

Should they come away with the No. 1 overall pick, it would likely lead to them drafting Duke forward Cooper Flagg, who fits cleanly with their current core.<\/p>\n