The Philadelphia 76ers have had a very bad season. With injuries and players not living up to their expectations, the 76ers went from contenders to missing the playoffs entirely. Their struggles led them to a lottery pick that was expected to go to the Oklahoma City Thunder but through the lottery it got its top 6 protection when the 76ers jumped up to the 3rd overall pick.

With the Dallas Mavericks getting the 1st overall pick and Cooper Flagg being the consensus 1st pick, it is unlikely that Flagg will be available at 3rd and even if the Mavericks traded the pick for a win now spot, the 76ers wouldn’t be a likely candidate to trade up. The San Antonio Spurs have the 2nd overall pick and the consensus pick is Dillion Harper, although he is a guard and the Spurs already traded for all-star caliber guard De’Aaron Fox last season and drafted the rookie of the year Stephon Castle last season as well. So there is a chance they take someone else at a more needed position or trade it away. 

The most likely candidates for the 76ers 3rd overall pick is Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe. Ace Bailey is a Rutgers forward with elite level shooting and is a good two way player with his length at 6’7. He is 18 years old and has a very high ceiling and is a good fit for the 76ers around young guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and Quentin Grimes.

VJ Edgecombe is the next best player and is a very athletic guard from Baylor. I don’t like the fit for the 76ers as they are already guard heavy and are in need of a good wing. Edgecombe has the talent to be the 3rd pick but isn’t that much better than Ace Bailey for the fit to be sacrificed. Other players like Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen are interesting prospects, but the other two are clearly better and would fit better on the 76ers. So, I believe that Ace Bailey is the best option for the 76ers, barring a trade and Cooper Flagg and Dillion Harper being on the table.