The 2025 NBA Draft is one where things could go absolutely right for the Philadelphia 76ers — or disastrously wrong. They could wind up with Cooper Flagg or end up with nothing after a disastrous season.
If they land the No. 5 pick, as they are projected to, the Sixers will gladly take it — even if it’s not the top pick. Here’s who they are predicted to take.
Philadelphia 76ers Predicted To Draft Ace Bailey With No. 5 Pick
PFSN’s Kyle Soppe explained why the Sixers are expected to take Bailey with the fifth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
“The 76ers have been a massive disappointment this season, but drafting Ace Bailey could inject some much-needed life into the building. Half of the sensational freshman duo from Rutgers went No. 2; now, Bailey rounds out the top five.
“Bailey hit the ground running for the Scarlet Knights. He averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season while shooting 46% from the floor and just under 35% from 3. He also contributed on the defensive end, averaging 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game,” Soppe wrote.
Soppe explained why Bailey would appeal to the Sixers, even if he may not be ready right away.
“Like most draft prospects, Bailey has some flaws in his game, but he’s a super raw talent brimming with untapped potential. He’ll turn 19 years old just months before the start of the new season. If Bailey can improve his shot selection and become a more consistent defender, Philadelphia could get a bit of a steal here.”
There’s something else at play here. In a season where they were expected to be a contender, only to fall spectacularly short, the Sixers would get quite the saving grace if they got their hands on Bailey. But it also gives them options for what their best move might be going forward.
Whether Philadelphia wants to admit it or not, Joel Embiid’s injuries are starting to pile up. The team has to ask itself — especially after what happened this season — if it’s worth continuing to build around him as that injury history keeps growing.
Bailey would give them a glimmer of hope that not all is lost if they decide to pull the plug on the Embiid era. At the same time, they could still have their cake and eat it too — seeing what Embiid and the current roster can do while developing Bailey at their own pace.
Bailey could be the Sixers’ first step toward their next chapter, an integral part of their playoff push next year, or a valuable asset they could use to land another star. After a season where the Sixers found new ways to lose, it’s hard to see how picking Bailey would be anything but a win.
