Philadelphia’s interest in the second overall pick is more than just draft board maneuvering. It could signal a deeper strategy: retooling around youth. After a disastrous 2024-25 campaign that ended with a 24-58 record, the Sixers’ big three experiment of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey looks increasingly unsustainable.

However, the Sixers could also add a player at No. 3 and bring in a young player to a roster in need of an injection of youth. A mock draft performed by HoopsHype has the Sixers selecting Rutgers star Ace Bailey with the pick: