Sixers March Madness Targets: Players to watch for as we approach the NBA Draft

March Madness is here, and this year, Sixers fans need to be dialed in like never before. Let’s be real—this 2024-25 season has been a disaster. With injuries, inconsistency, and frustration piling up, the immediate future doesn’t feel great. But there’s still hope, and it comes in the form of the NBA Draft.

Philly owns a top-six protected first-round pick, and if things shake out in our favor, that pick could be a franchise-altering piece next to Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and Quentin Grimes. That means this tournament isn’t just about brackets and upsets—it’s about scouting the next piece for the Sixers.

On the bright side, Sixers fans…

The Sixers have their young guards for the future 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qmNKYs72Vu

— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) March 18, 2025

So, here’s your Sixers-focused guide to March Madness, breaking down the most exciting prospects who could be rocking the red, white, and blue next season. Let’s get into it.

#1 – Cooper Flagg (Duke, Power Forward)

Let’s not kid ourselves—Cooper Flagg would be a dream come true for the Sixers. This kid is a different breed. At just 18 years old, he’s already put together one of the most dominant freshman seasons we’ve ever seen, solidifying himself as the no-brainer No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. His defensive instincts, versatility, and relentless motor? That screams Philly basketball. Pairing him with Tyrese Maxey would instantly give the Sixers a young, elite duo to build around for the next decade.

But here’s the harsh reality—getting Flagg would require winning the NBA Draft Lottery, and let’s be honest, the Sixers’ luck in that department isn’t exactly trustworthy. The odds of landing the No. 1 pick are slim, so dreaming about Flagg in a Sixers jersey is probably just that—a dream.

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That being said, Duke is still the squad for Sixers fans to watch in March Madness. If Philly really wants to follow in the Eagles’ footsteps—since Howie Roseman has basically turned the Birds into Georgia North—the Sixers could take a page from that playbook and go all in on Duke players. If they can’t land Flagg, there are still other Blue Devils who could make an impact in Philly.

So, while we’re at it. Since the Flagg fantasy might be out of reach, it doesn’t mean we can’t keep a careful eye on the Duke pipeline during this year’s NCAA Tournament.

#2 – Khaman Maluach (Duke, Center)

Alright Sixers fans, let’s talk about a name you need to start paying attention to—Khaman Maluach. The 7’2” monster from Duke might not be putting up eye-popping numbers in their loaded offense, but trust me, his game translates.

What’s the deal with the Duke Center?

While we are spoiled with Embiid’s skillset as a big man, it’s worth noting that Maluach is not even remotely close to the offensive product that Joel was coming out of college. However, there are some things to be encouraged by. Maluach’s three point percentage may not jump off the paper, but he is a willing shooter, and has shot at a decent clip dating back to his days in the Africa league, where he shot 32% on four three’s attempted per 36 minutes.

Maluach’s bread and butter is finishing at the rim. He’s converted 23 out of 24 attempts as the roll man finishing at the rim, boasting a 95% success rate that outshines all recent big-man prospects. Now, imagine pairing that with the skillsets of Maxey, McCain, and Grimes…

Khaman Maluach is now 21 for 22 (95%!) as a roll man to the basket. For comparison:

Dereck Lively, 20-22 (91%)
Zach Edey, 37-43 (86%)
Chet Holmgren, 10-12 (83%)
Jalen Duren, 16-20 (80%)
Yves Missi, 46-62 (74%)
Evan Mobley, 24-33 (73%)
Donovan Clingan, 32-44 (73%)
Kel'el Ware,… https://t.co/jwTD9I8b9H pic.twitter.com/0bBULjgoxo

— Matt Powers (@DraftPow) January 21, 2025

Why this makes sense for the Sixers

We all know the biggest question hanging over this franchise: Joel Embiid’s health. As much as we love JoJo, we can’t ignore the reality—his body has taken a beating, and the Sixers need a long-term contingency plan. Maluach could be that guy. His length, defensive mobility, and elite finishing ability make him a perfect fit for what the Sixers need moving forward. Think about it—an absolute giant in the paint who can protect the rim, set monster screens, and even flash some shooting potential? That’s a dangerous asset to pair with Tyrese Maxey and the rest of the young core.

And here’s the kicker: he’s right in the Sixers’ draft range. In the latest NBA mock draft I saw, Maluach slid to No. 7, going to the Toronto Raptors. That’s dangerously close to where Philly could be picking. If the Sixers’ lottery luck holds up and they stay in that top-six range, Maluach could be sitting there for the taking.

#3 – Tre Johnson (Texas, Shooting Guard)

One name that I could see catching the attention of Sixers fans is Tre Johnson, of Texas. This 20-point-per-game scorer has been turning heads with his incredible shot-making ability, polished footwork, and self-creation skills. Think of him as a smoother version of Tyler Herro—the type of player who can break down defenses and create his own shot in a heartbeat.

Johnson’s consistency and high basketball IQ have scouts feeling confident about his future, with many seeing him as a lock for the tier just below the top prospects like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper. But here’s where it gets interesting—teams picking between No. 3 and No. 10 in the draft will have to decide how much they buy into his ceiling. There’s some concern about his lack of rim pressure and free-throw attempts, but honestly, this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.

When you watch the tape, it’s clear Johnson can impact the game beyond just scoring. He’s a more effective passer than his numbers show and can use his gravity to create opportunities for teammates. Some scouts believe it’s overthinking to let him fall outside the top five, which makes him a perfect fit for the Sixers if they land in that range.

The Sixers might have enough guards…

I do find myself worrying about the overlap in skills if the Sixers were to draft a guard. That is why I really just included wing players here as I don’t personally have much of an interest in yet another young combo guard on this team.

With that said Sixers fans, sit back, relax and enjoy some March Madness. There’s nothing to stress about right now.

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