Philadelphia 76ers 2025 draft big board 2.0: The best fits at No. 3
Philadelphia 76ers 2025 draft big board 2.0: The best fits at No. 3
The Philadelphia 76ers were rewarded with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft following a tough 24-58 season. The Sixers entered the season with championship expectations, but injuries decimated the roster and derailed any chances the team had at seriously contending for a title.
As they head into this draft, there are plenty of options for the Sixers to look into. The goal for them is to get younger and add a player who can help them bounce back and turn things around. Philadelphia should be looking into every option in order to take the next steps forward toward title contention.
Here is the second draft big board with the draft now five weeks away. If one wants to see big board 1.0, it can be seen here. With that said, let's get into big board 2.0:
1. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
2024-25 stats: 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 bpg, 1.0 spg, 46% FG, 34.6% 3FG
Previous ranking: 2
Let's get one thing straight: Bailey is not Kevin Durant. It doesn't mean he isn't going to be a good player, but he is not Durant. He has good measurements with star written all over him, but the knock on him is that he settles for bad shots and the fact that Rutgers did not make the NCAA Tournament. Despite having Bailey, and Dylan Harper, the Scarlet Knights finished 15-17 and barely made their own conference tournament in the Big 10. With that being said, Bailey figures to be a great NBA prospect with his length, finishing ability, and athleticism.
In terms of his catch-and-shoot percentages, he shot 36-for-93 (38.7%) on those opportunities from deep. He shot 29-for-66 (43.9%) on those attempts while he was guarded. It shows that he has the skill and the want to take and make tough shots. There is a lot to like about his game, but there are some rough edges he needs to smooth out.
2. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
2024-25 stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.1 spg, 43.6% FG, 34% 3FG
Previous ranking: 1
Many will be clamoring for Bailey, and he will be a top option for Philadelphia, but Edgecombe could be the better player. He is supremely athletic, able to take any defender off the dribble, and attack the basket, and he is more than solid defensively as he is aggressive at the point of attack and can create turnovers. He is an outstanding worker, and even though there are some finishing issues at the basket, he is somebody who can contribute on that end right away.
In terms of his catch-and-shoot ability, a skill needed on a team with Joel Embiid on it, he shot 45-for-124 (36.3%) on catch-and-shoot 3s per Synergy Sports. However, he did shoot 21-for-45 (46.7%) when unguarded on those attempts. It shows that he can knock down and open look should it be needed. That shows he has a lot of shooting upside for his position and should be a great option.
3. Tre Johnson, Texas
2024-25 stats: 19.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 42.7% FG, 39.7% 3FG
Previous ranking: 3
Johnson has his flaws, but scoring and shooting certainly aren't one of them. He has an ability to light up the scoreboard at any moment by taking defenders to the basket, being able to knock down tough 3s, and he can shoot off the catch or off the dribble. If the Sixers are thinking a microwave scorer, then Johnson should be their guy. One can argue that he isn't worthy of a No. 3 pick, but he has skills that will translate to the NBA level.
As mentioned, he shot 51-for-125 (40.8%) on catch-and-shoot 3s. He was 32-for-77 (41.6%) on those attempts while guarded. Even off the dribble, he shot 38-for-99 (38.4%) on those 3-point attempts. He is an electric player and the Sixers should certainly give him a look before they decide on a player with this selection.
4. Kon Knueppel, Duke
2024-25 stats: 14.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.0 spg, 47.9% FG, 40.6% 3FG
Previous ranking: 4
Knueppel would be more of a trade down option should the Sixers not like what they see at No. 3. Either way, if the Sixers are thinking spacing and elite shooting, then Knueppel should be their guy. He has a high basketball IQ being able to navigate off screens to get himself open for looks, he competes on the defensive end, and he is an underrated playmaker. There are limitations so he may not grade out as a starter in some cases, but he is for sure a rotation player in this league due to the shooting ability.
He shot 77-for-178 (43.3%) on catch-and-shoot 3s and was an impressive 36-for-84 (42.9%) on those attempts while guarded. He cannot do the things Bailey, Edgecombe, or Johnson can do, but Knueppel should be on the radar of president Daryl Morey and Co. should they decide to trade down and add to the depth of the roster--which is another need for this group.
5. Khaman Maluach, Duke
2024-25 stats: 8.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.3 bpg, 0.2 spg, 71.2% FG
Previous ranking: 5
Maluach would be an option for Philadelphia should it want big man depth behind Embiid. With that being said, the Sixers do expect veteran Andre Drummond to exercise his player option for 2025-26 so he figures to return, and there is already young big man Adem Bona who made a name for himself as a rookie. However, Maluach stands at 7-foot-2 and the Sixers could always use some more size off the bench which has been an issue in the past.
With that being said, Maluach is a bit raw offensively as he limited to putbacks and lob dunks off the pick-and-roll. While he does have soft hands to make all of this work on the offensive end, the Sixers would need him to add some type of jumper to his game. Philadelphia needs versatility out of its big men and Maluach would have to add to his game in order to stick.
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The Paycom Center is still buzzing wildly, not unlike her cell phone before the game, and Burke is standing at her courtside booth, removing all those microphones and earpieces. She's telling me about this meeting 15 years ago, and she's showing me what happened as that coach stopped on his way out the door: 'He grabs me by the shoulders and looks me in the eye,' Burke tells me, then shows me. 'And he says, 'Doris, you are doing an incredible job at this.'' That was how she met Rick Carlisle. They've talked a lot over the years, work and otherwise, professional colleagues and real-world friends. That's why Carlisle texted her Thursday night before his visit with ESPN's broadcast team. He texted her something supportive, something along the lines of what he'd just told the media, and now Burke is confused. 'I'm thinking, 'Oh boy, he's not going to say something out there is he?'' she says. 'Shortly after I have that thought, multiple people hit me with texts about what he's just said.' Burke is grateful, and the emotions are coming. And now there he is, walking into the soundproof interview room. 'He greets us all normally,' Burke says. 'I always hug him, but I just probably squeezed him a little tighter than normal, and I said: 'The article is just part of the business. I didn't really react to it, but I did react to your support of me and I can't thank you enough.' 'I was emotional,' she says, 'no question about it.' Burke is telling me about it, and it's happening again. 'I've said this often,' she says, and she's pausing because the gratitude filling her heart is now reaching up into her throat and catching her words. 'Forgive me here,' she says, then continues. 'The players and the coaches, going back to my time covering every single thing I've ever covered – women's and men's college, WNBA, NBA – the players and coaches have been always my soft landing spot. They have always given me incredible support. And at various times I've expressed gratitude.' Now she wants to be specific, about the supremely public gesture – more than that – Rick Carlisle had made for her before Game 1. 'Think about who Rick Carlisle is as person,' she says. 'He is about to coach Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and he takes the time to reach out to me to make sure I am OK. He is so passionate about the game and everyone who is part of the game. There is a reason he has led the (NBA) coaches association for as long as he has, a reason why he talks to players about getting into coaching and making them believe they can have an impact in this profession. There is a reason when he talks about officials, that he does it with incredible respect. 'It blows me away that in that moment in time, he has the heart to feel for another human being. So incredibly moving to me.' They hug there in the broadcast room, Doris Burke thanks Rick Carlisle, and then it is time to work. 'We got down to the business of basketball,' she says. Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.
