Sixers Eyeing No. 2 pick to chase Daryl Morey’s James Harden 2.0 fantasy

The Sixers have the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after one of the most embarrassing, gutless, disaster-class seasons in franchise history. Joel Embiid got hurt, the roster crumbled, and the team finished 24-58.

Now, instead of contending for a title, we’re talking about lottery picks and the guy in charge of resurrecting this franchise is none other than Daryl Morey.

Welcome to The Daryl Morey Experience

BREAKING: The Sixers have engaged with the San Antonio Spurs about potentially moving up to the No. 2 pick, per @MikeAScotto pic.twitter.com/V0axoczeTp

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 12, 2025

The Daryl Morey Experience isn’t fun. At all. It also shouldn’t take a world-class detective to realize that Morey is yet again, hunting a specific type of basketball player in the NBA Draft. I think it’s clear as day that Morey truly believes he has found his next James Harden in Rutgers guard Dylan Harper.

We all remember the fallout these two lovebirds had during Harden’s departure from Philadelphia and Morey has been stuck with a broken heart ever since. His infatuation with James Harden is honestly disgusting, but that’s where Dylan Harper comes into play. Unfortunately, my theory is that Morey has already targeted his new boy toy.
It’s textbook Morey.

Dylan Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists for Rutgers last season while shooting 48.4% from the field.

He’s big. He’s shifty. He’s a crafty lefty. Sound familiar?

Read More: According to reports, the Sixers flew in Tyrese Maxey to meet VJ Edgecombe during pre-draft visit >>

Instead of focusing on winning now or maximizing the current “title window”, Morey is seemingly obsessed with finding the next analytical darling to build around — even if it means pushing the Sixers’ championship window even further down the road.

Could a Trade Actually Happen?

The Spurs currently hold the No. 2 pick, and while there’s no deal imminent, where there’s smoke with Morey, there’s usually fire. He’s never been shy about moving up or down in the draft if it aligns with his vision.

Whether or not San Antonio would be willing to drop back to No. 3 depends on what else Philly throws into the deal — likely future picks or a young asset.

If the Sixers do trade up for Dylan Harper, Morey better be absolutely sure this kid is a future All-Star because if this is another case of chasing a James Harden clone instead of building a real contender, Sixers fans will never forgive him.

We don’t want the next Harden. We want the next championship.

I’m coming from a place of deep Sixers trauma…

If you didn’t notice already, I’ll admit this whole theory partly comes from a place of lifelong trauma, as a Sixers fan. You can’t blame me. I’ve seen too much. From Andrew Bynum, to Markelle Fultz forgetting how to shoot, to watching Jimmy Butler walk out the door while we kept Tobias Harris.

I left out like fifteen other things (Miss you, Ben), but you get the point.

I’m a little cooked in the head for thinking Morey is trying to recreate James Harden by drafting Dylan Harper. If that is the case, lets hope it doesn’t get as bad as the ending did last time around.

That said… I do actually think Harper’s a stud. He’s got the size, the handle, the scoring touch. If Morey makes the move to go get him, I’m not necessarily going to lose my mind, as long as he doesn’t mortgage Jared McCain to do it.

That kid is legit too. And this franchise has burned enough bridges by going all-in on one guy at a time. Just get it right, Daryl. For once. Please.

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