Less than two weeks from the 2025 NBA Draft, rumors surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers continuously grow hotter. A day after a report confirmed the Sixers hosted VJ Edgecombe for a meal that Tyrese Maxey specifically flew out for, followed by word that Ace Bailey would soon hold a private workout for the team, Philadelphia has now been connected to yet another top prospect, Rutgers guard Dylan Harper.
According to NBA Insider Michael Scotto, the Sixers have “engaged” in trade conversations with the San Antonio Spurs around the second pick in the upcoming draft.
The word “engaged,” of course, implies the interest is coming from Philadelphia, which would not be unexpected in this case and matches the M.O. of one Daryl Morey.
Morey has a long history of doing his due diligence in trade negotiations. He even reportedly made calls inquiring about LeBron James and Kevin Durant at the 2024 NBA trade deadline. To see him “engage” with another team about a premium pick is not a surprise and does not mean anything is imminent.
What it does mean is one of two things: First, the Sixers have potentially identified Dylan Harper as a prospect of interest. Given that he is the projected second player in the draft and considered in a tier above all prospects not named Cooper Flagg, that potential interest seems obvious. The second possibility is that Philadelphia has identified a prospect they are extremely confident in, that they feel San Antonio may attempt to snatch for their own with the second pick.
It’s unlikely that V.J. Edgecombe is that player, but both Ace Bailey and Kon Knueppel have been connected to the Spurs, though purely in the sense that they are better fits, not that the team is reportedly considering them.
Could San Antonio find value in the cleaner-fitting Bailey or Knueppel over Harper? Surely, but at the same time, there’s no guarantee that a stockpile of combo guards could stop the Spurs from drafting a talent in Harper who is frankly projected to be better than any other prospect after the first pick.
Still, whatever Philadelphia would theoretically include in a deal may be enough to sway San Antonio, but the second pick surely would not come cheaply. Including a future first is fine enough, but what if the Spurs demand two or more? What if they demand Jared McCain, who in just 23 games has shown true star potential?
The point is that leverage is completely in the hands of the Spurs in this case, and Daryl Morey, who also has a long history of trying to “win” trades, may not be willing to play ball, depending on the cost.
Considering the Sixers’ lack of certainty in the years moving forward, it’s far easier to see the team add assets at the moment instead of trading them away, but if the cost/benefit analysis balances in their favor, nothing should be off the table.
