Who’s in play for the Sixers at pick #3 after just missing out on Cooper Flagg during the NBA Draft Lottery

The basketball gods didn’t give us Cooper Flagg, but they didn’t completely leave the Sixers in the dark either.

After a brutal 24-58 season filled with injuries, heartbreak, and more starting lineups than a preseason football team, the Sixers walked away from Monday night’s NBA Draft Lottery with the No. 3 overall pick. It’s not the dream scenario — that would’ve been the No. 1 pick and a direct pipeline to generational talent in Cooper Flagg — but considering how things could’ve gone, we’ll absolutely take it.

Philly came into the lottery with a 63.9% chance to keep their pick and only a 10.6% shot at landing at No. 3. With the Thunder looming and ready to scoop the pick if it fell outside the top 6 — thanks to the disastrous 2020 trade — this was a major win. Because the Sixers held onto the pick, it now pushes the OKC obligation into the future. The 2026 pick becomes top-4 protected, with a backup plan in 2027. If it doesn’t convey by then, the Thunder get a second-rounder. Crisis (mostly) averted.

The final results from the 2025 #NBADraftLottery presented by State Farm:

1. Mavericks
2. Spurs
3. 76ers
4. Hornets
5. Jazz
6. Wizards
7. Pelicans
8. Nets
9. Raptors
10. Rockets
11. Trail Blazers
12. Bulls
13. Hawks
14. Spurs

— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2025

I mean look, no one expected to care this much about the lottery back in October. Coming into the 2024-25 season, this Sixers squad looked like a contender — three All-Stars in Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George. A team that we all believe could finally get over the hump.

But then came the chaos: injuries, lineup changes, and a season that spiraled fast. Philly broke an NBA record by using 54 different starting lineups. So here we are, thankful for a chance to reset and reload with a top-3 selection.

Read More: ESPN had 76ers fans ready to lose it after NBA Draft Lottery screw up >>

Who’s in Play at No. 3?

With Flagg and Dylan Harper widely expected to go in the top two, things get murky after that. It’s a deep class, but no clear-cut choice at three. Names like Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe, Rutgers’ Ace Bailey, Duke’s Kon Knueppel, and Texas’ Tre Johnson are all in the mix. Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis could rise, too.

Morey’s always said he’ll take the best player available. That philosophy will be tested this June. If Quentin Grimes re-signs, the Sixers will already have a logjam of undersized guards. That adds another wrinkle to the decision-making process.

It’s Not Cooper Flagg… But It’s Something

Look, we all wanted the Flagg dream. Philly hasn’t had a true No. 1 since Ben Simmons (yikes), and landing a player of Flagg’s caliber would’ve instantly changed the franchise’s trajectory. But No. 3 in this class still has star potential — and more importantly, the Sixers kept the pick.

While it’s not a full-blown rebuild, it does leave some room for hope and gives Daryl some ammunition to either draft another young, promising player, or God forbid, test the trade market one last time. Only time will tell what this asset turns into for the Sixers.

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