NBA Draft Lottery Primer: Sixers First Round Pick Odds, Options, and What’s at Stake Ahead of Tonight’s Main Event

It’s gut-check time for the Sixers. The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery is here, and tonight’s ping pong balls could swing the entire direction of the franchise.

It’s pretty black and white—either the Sixers land a top-six pick and keep their first-rounder, or they miss out and watch it head straight to the Oklahoma City Thunder thanks to the lingering protections from the Al Horford trade.

Tank Commanders: Sixers Odds Heading into the NBA Draft Lottery:

There’s no middle ground, no consolation prize. If things break their way, it’s a chance to add a potential franchise-changer or at least a valuable trade chip. If not, it’s going to be a yet another long, brutal offseason in Philly, and this fanbase will be ready to jump off the Ben Franklin Bridge. I know that’s a grim outlook but rest assured, I’ll be leading the death march so I’m allowed to say that.

When’s the lottery and who’s repping the Sixers?

• When: Monday, 7 p.m. ET
• Where: Chicago, live on ESPN
• Sixers rep: Jared McCain (maybe he brings some Duke magic?)

What’s the deal with the Sixers’ pick?

Remember that ancient 2020 trade when the Sixers dumped Al Horford to OKC? Yeah, the pick protection from that deal is still hanging around.

• 2025 pick is top-6 protected.
• If it falls outside the top 6, it goes to the Thunder.
• If the Sixers keep it this year, it becomes top-4 protected in both 2026 and 2027 if necessary.

The Odds: Do the Sixers have a shot?

Short answer: Yes. And a decent one.

• Sixers chance at top-6 pick: 63.9%
  • No. 1: 10.5%
  • No. 2: 10.5%
  • No. 3: 10.6%
  • No. 4: 10.5%
  • No. 5: 2.2%
  • No. 6: 19.6%

If they don’t hit the lottery, all the Sixers will be left with is the No. 35 pick in the second round, which would be an absolute disaster given the fact that this organization sent us back to the dark days of the process with the lineups they rolled out in 2024.

How does Daryl Morey see it?

Who the fuck knows? I just wrote that so I could comment again on how much I dislike Daryl Morey. He’s a smug asshole who accepts zero accountability for anything, while constantly finding excuses for his shortcomings, and overpromising that there are better days on the horizon.

That being said, Morey says it’s best player available, but don’t rule out a trade if the right deal comes along.

“It has to be that in the draft for sure, but we see the pick as sort of a tool to upgrade the team,” Morey said. “It will matter if it’s one, two, three, four, five, six or we just have the pick in the future. That could also happen.”

Basically, we’re operating with the Sixers landing a top pick and then making it available if they don’t like their draft position and think they can get better via a trade.

Fine. Whatever.

Clueless: Daryl Morey still doesn’t get it after another tone deaf interview on Philly Sports Talk Radio

Who are the big names to watch?

Cooper Flagg is the no-brainer No. 1 across the board. The 6-9 Duke freshman is a two-way force, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and doing it all at just 18 years old.

Other names Sixers fans should have on the radar:

• Dylan Harper (Rutgers): crafty lefty lead guard, NBA-ready game
• Ace Bailey (Rutgers): 6-10 shotmaker with serious upside
• V.J. Edgecombe (Baylor): athletic freak at guard
• Kon Knueppel (Duke): sharpshooting wing
• Tre Johnson (Texas): high-scoring bucket getter
• Khaman Maluach (Duke): 7-2 rim protector, defensive anchor

Final Word: It’s a huge night for the Sixers’ future

The Sixers NEED a win tonight. This isn’t just about the pick—it’s about flexibility, trade capital, and giving Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain another piece to make a real run.

Land in the top six? The future looks a lot brighter.

Miss? The offseason gets a whole lot trickier.

No pressure.

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