The NBA Draft Lottery is less than a week away, and the Philadelphia 76ers will soon know whether or not they retain their first-round pick in the 2025 draft. Currently sitting with the fifth overall pick, the Sixers’ selection will convey to the Oklahoma City Thunder, should it fall out of the top six.
The odds slightly favor Philadelphia, as they have a 63.9% chance to retain their pick, but the team’s decision for who will represent the organization on that night has fans believing that the Sixers may not only keep their pick, but that it could rise into the top four, potentially even reaching the first overall pick.
Initially announcing the news in a style reminiscent of “Who’s that Pokémon?,” the Sixers posted a silhouette of the player who would represent the team this year, and it didn’t take long for fans to figure it out.
McCain’s personality is quite recognizable, even in silhouette form, apparently. Fans cheered and celebrated on X as many felt the decision to use McCain would bring the Sixers some sorely needed good luck.
After last year’s injury-riddled debacle, the only positives from the season seemed to be the performance of the team’s youth, of which McCain is the most notable, and the potential for the team to retain its first-round pick.
On Tuesday, May 6, the team formally announced what many in the fanbase had already surmised: McCain would be the team representative, and fans’ excitement only grew with the confirmation.
Aside from McCain’s inherent positivity and general good vibes potentially benefiting the Sixers, his alma mater also contributes to the speculation. McCain played at Duke University during his lone collegiate season, the very same institution as soon-to-be first overall selection Cooper Flagg.
It’s fair to acknowledge that Flagg is just one of potentially three Duke players who could hear their name called by the Sixers in a couple of months, but that doesn’t fit the desired narrative for a fanbase both in need and deserving of a win.
So, at least until next week, the focus of the fans is squarely on Flagg, and the fact that his fellow former Blue Devil, Jared McCain, will be representing the Sixers on Lottery night will only be considered a positive omen, until the likelihood that it eventually isn’t.
