The Philadelphia 76ers have emerged from the NBA Draft Lottery with a sigh of relief. Instead of losing their first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Sixers' selection jumped to the No. 3 spot, allowing them to retain their 2025 pick. While this news is a blessing, it also means they are likely out of contention for top prospect Cooper Flagg, with the Dallas Mavericks seen as the frontrunners to acquire him.

Analysts Jeremy Woo and Jonathan Givony predict that the 76ers will select Airious "Ace" Bailey, a guard from Rutgers, with their third pick. Bailey’s potential as a scorer aligns with the team's long-term plans, providing a complementary asset to their burgeoning backcourt, featuring the likes of Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. This draft could be pivotal for Philadelphia as they seek to build around their existing talent.