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5 NBA Stars Philadelphia 76ers Can Acquire By Trading No. 3 Overall Pick

After a dismal 24–58 season that saw the Philadelphia 76ers miss the playoffs for the first time since 2017, the franchise faces a pivotal offseason. Despite high expectations following the acquisition of Paul George, the team struggled with injuries and underperformance, leading to a disappointing 13th-seed finish in the Eastern Conference. Now, holding the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Sixers have a valuable asset that could be leveraged to acquire a proven star to complement Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The team might be open to trading this pick, with potential targets including Zion Williamson and even Trae Young. Such a move could provide the immediate impact needed to return the Sixers to championship contention. Advertisement In the following sections, we will explore five NBA stars the 76ers could pursue by trading the No. 3 pick, analyzing how each could fit into Philadelphia's roster and contribute to a potential title run. 1. Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns Receive: Paul George, Quentin Grimes (Sign-and-Trade), 2025 No. 3 Overall Pick Kevin Durant continued to defy age (approaching 37 years old), delivering elite performances in his 17th NBA season despite a horrific season for the Phoenix Suns. In the 2024–25 campaign, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, shooting an efficient 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from beyond the arc. Advertisement His scoring prowess and experience make him a valuable asset for any championship-contending team, which is why he will almost certainly be moved this summer. For the Philadelphia 76ers, acquiring Durant would add a proven scorer to complement Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Durant's ability to create his own shot and stretch defenses could open up opportunities for Embiid in the post and Maxey on the perimeter. Paul George and the No. 3 overall pick will likely never amount to what KD can do for a title-contender, so the 76ers will need to go all-in as soon as possible to maximize their All-Star-quality core. 2. Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) controls the ball in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Quentin Grimes (Sign-and-Trade), Kelly Oubre Jr. (Sign-and-Trade), 2025 No. 3 Overall Pick, 2028 Second-Round Pick (PHI), 2031 Second-Round Pick (PHI) Zion Williamson's 2024–25 season with the New Orleans Pelicans was marked by both impressive performance and injury setbacks. In the 30 games he played, Williamson averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, shooting an efficient 56.7% from the field. However, his season was cut short due to a back injury, and that is why we have heard rumblings that the Pelicans are done with the former All-Star. Advertisement For the Philadelphia 76ers, acquiring Williamson could provide a dynamic frontcourt partner for Joel Embiid. Williamson's ability to drive to the basket and create plays could complement Embiid's post presence and Tyrese Maxey's perimeter shooting. However, the 76ers would need to consider the risk associated with Williamson's injury history, especially given the significant assets required for the trade, including the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Considering how bad the Sixers were this past season, perhaps this risk is necessary. 3. Trae Young Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Trae Young Atlanta Hawks Receive: Quentin Grimes (Sign-and-Trade), Kelly Oubre Jr. (Sign-and-Trade), Jared McCain, 2025 No. 3 Overall Pick Trae Young led the NBA in assists during the 2024–25 season for the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 11.6 per game, along with 24.2 points. Unfortunately, it hasn't amounted to enough wins, which is why the point guard's future is murky right now. Advertisement His playmaking ability and scoring prowess make him an attractive option for the 76ers, who could use a dynamic point guard to orchestrate their offense. We don't often see two smaller guards start for a title-contender, but this case could be different. Pairing Young with Embiid and Maxey could create a potent offensive trio. Young's ability to stretch defenses with his shooting and facilitate scoring opportunities would alleviate pressure on Embiid and open up the floor for Maxey. Trae has proven he can take a team to the Eastern Conference Finals before, so perhaps he is the missing piece for Embiid. 4. Zach LaVine Mar 10, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) dribbles the ball up the court against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Zach LaVine Chicago Bulls Receive: Paul George, 2025 No. 3 Overall Pick Zach LaVine averaged 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game during the 2024–25 season with the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings, showcasing his scoring efficiency with a 51.1% field goal percentage. His athleticism and shooting ability could provide the 76ers with an explosive wing scorer to complement Embiid and Maxey. Advertisement LaVine's ability to create his own shot and stretch the defense would be a valuable asset for the 76ers' offense. However, his defensive shortcomings and substantial contract, $47.5 million in 2025–26 with a $48.9 million player option in 2026–27, pose financial and strategic considerations. Trading Paul George and the No. 3 pick for LaVine would be a significant move, and the 76ers would need to assess whether LaVine's contributions align with their championship aspirations. Considering how bad they were this season, adding a 20+ PPG scorer makes a ton of sense. 5. Lauri Markkanen Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesCredit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Lauri Markkanen Utah Jazz Receive: Paul George, 2025 No. 3 Overall Pick Lauri Markkanen had a solid 2024–25 season with the Utah Jazz, averaging 19.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. His shooting percentages, however, saw a dip, with a field goal percentage of 42.3% and a three-point percentage of 34.6%. Advertisement Despite this, Markkanen's size and shooting ability make him a versatile forward capable of spacing the floor. In Philadelphia, Markkanen could serve as a complementary piece alongside Embiid and Maxey, providing additional scoring and floor spacing. His presence could alleviate some of the offensive burden on Embiid and create more driving lanes for Maxey. Markkanen fits with the Sixers' rotation defensively as well, because he is 7'0" and can occupy three positions on the floor. Related: 5 Trades To Reshape Philadelphia 76ers Into Eastern Conference Powerhouse