Former Duke Star Expected to Join 76ers in Latest NBA Mock Draft
Former Duke Star Expected to Join 76ers in Latest NBA Mock Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia 76ers hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, set for later this month. While many mock drafts have them selecting Rutgers guard Ace Bailey, one notable projection from Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor suggests a trade down.
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O'Connor proposed a scenario in which the Sixers would receive the No. 7 overall pick, a top-4 protected 2026 first-round pick (via Indiana Pacers) and Herb Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the No. 3 pick and Kelly Oubre Jr. (player option).
In that scenario, Philadelphia would still have strong options at the seventh pick. O'Connor named a few, including Duke guard Kon Knueppel, Arizona forward Carter Bryant, and Duke center Khaman Maluach.
Maluach was the player O'Connor projected the 76ers would take if they picked seventh, pointing to him being an "intriguing fit alongside Joel Embiid early in his career in double-big lineups."
"Maluach is capable of erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter," O'Connor wrote. "These skills would make him an intriguing fit alongside Joel Embiid early in his career in double-big lineups. Plus he could serve as a backup too."
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The 7-foot-2 center played just one season for Duke, starting in all 39 games and averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists per contest.
Khaman Maluach during a game with Duke.Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
O'Connor did mention Maluach is a "work in progress on offense," but that "should come as no surprise," given that he "didn't start playing basketball until he was 13."
"Beyond dunking lobs, he's a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator," O'Connor added. "But he displays a shooting touch that hints at a much higher upside, not too different than Embiid when he entered the NBA. Such a raw skill-set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn't start playing basketball until he was 13."
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The 76ers still have time to look at all possible options, including trading down as well as up. The 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25 at 8 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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