The Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs will select first, second, and third, respectively, after shocking everyone at the NBA Draft Lottery. The Sixers will select whoever they believe to be the best player available, with Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper expected to be the first two players off the board.
The Sixers lack a real floor general, but they have good guards in Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, and Jared McCain. Since the Spurs already have De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, there were rumors that they might pass on Harper, and the Sixers might try to move up.
The Spurs would move back a slot, much like the Boston Celtics gave up the rights to Markelle Fultz for Jayson Tatum, because the Sixers lack the funds to choose both second and third unless they are prepared to give up Maxey in a trade.
The Spurs could theoretically get the third pick, a 2028 pick from the Los Angeles Clippers, and a 2029 pick in exchange for the Clippers’ second pick. Although Harper’s arrival in San Antonio seemed to have pleased supporters, it would make sense for the Spurs to give up one pick in order to add even more future draft capital if they were to chase other players.
Harper is just one of many gifted athletes the Spurs might choose from.
Harper is more talented than any of them, but they would fit in much better with Fox, Castle, and Victor Wembanyama, enabling the Spurs to contend the following season and start strong.
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