The Philadelphia 76ers are looking at trading the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and the Utah Jazz are a likely trade partner. The idea comes after Philadelphia finished the 2024–25 season with a 24–58 record, placing them 13th in the Eastern Conference. They entered the season expecting to compete for a title after signing Paul George to a four-year, $211 million contract, but it didn’t happen.
To explain, George underperformed. He averaged 16.2 points per game and shot 43 percent from the field. At 35 years old, his production dropped, and he missed games again due to injury. Joel Embiid also missed most of the season and underwent his second knee surgery in a year. Rookie Jared McCain, who had shown promise early on, only played 23 games before a season-ending injury. Tyrese Maxey played well, but he couldn’t carry the team alone. By the end of the season, only two players—Ricky Council IV and Guerschon Yabusele—played more than 60 games.
Even though the season went badly, the Sixers ended up with the No. 3 pick after the lottery. If their pick had fallen below No. 6, it would have gone to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to an earlier trade. Keeping that pick gave the Sixers a valuable asset. Now, the front office, led by Daryl Morey, is deciding what to do with it.
According to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, the 76ers are expected to listen to trade offers for the pick. They need to win now, and a rookie may not help them do that. The top two prospects—Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper—are expected to go first and second, which leaves players like Ace Bailey and V.J. Edgecombe available at No. 3. Bailey has more upside but is viewed as a longer-term project. Though Edgecombe is more developed, he may not be a star.
This brings Utah into the picture. The Jazz hold the No. 5 and No. 21 picks and could use the No. 3 pick to get one of the top wings before other teams. They are open to trading Lauri Markkanen and a pick to move up. One proposed deal would send Markkanen and the No. 21 pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George and the No. 3 pick.
For Philadelphia, this trade would solve several problems. Markkanen is 27, a proven All-Star, and can shoot, rebound, and defend. He averaged solid numbers last season while being the focus of every opposing defense. On the Sixers, with Embiid and Maxey, Markkanen wouldn’t face that pressure. He would be a better fit than George, who is aging and less reliable. The No. 21 pick gives the Sixers a chance to add depth, possibly a backup center behind Embiid, who misses time almost every year.
On the other hand, Utah would benefit from getting the No. 3 pick while keeping the No. 5, and it would allow them to take two top prospects, possibly Bailey at No. 3, alongside either Edgecombe or Tre Johnson at No. 5. It could certainly help the Jazz rebuild after losing Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. While Markkanen has been their best player, he’s not a franchise cornerstone. Trading him for two high picks is a smart long-term move.
The Jazz would take on George’s contract, but since they’re not trying to win right now, they can afford it. They also probably don’t want three rookies entering camp, so giving up the No. 21 pick makes sense for them.
This draft is unusual. Dallas, San Antonio, and Philadelphia ended up with the top three picks, even though none of them were expected to. Dallas had only a 1.8% chance at the No. 1 pick and now holds it. San Antonio is second, and Philadelphia is third. Some league executives believe all three picks could be traded, which has never happened in NBA history.
If the Sixers keep the pick, they would probably take Bailey or Edgecombe and try to develop a young core around Maxey and McCain, which could work if they believe Embiid won’t return to MVP form. But if they want to win now, they need experienced players like Markkanen. Boston’s Jayson Tatum is expected to miss most of next season with an Achilles injury, so the Eastern Conference could be wide open. This is the time for Philadelphia to make a serious push.
For Utah, building through the draft makes more sense than trying to win with Markkanen. Two top-five picks would give them a strong foundation. Taking on George is a short-term cost they can handle.
The draft is on June 25. Both teams have important decisions to make. If the Sixers want to stay competitive, trading the No. 3 pick and moving on from Paul George gives them the best chance. If Utah wants to speed up its rebuild, this is the move to make. Both teams can get what they need right now.
