Philadelphia 76ers Mock Draft 5.0

Today is a huge day for the future of the Philadelphia 76ers, the culmination of a terrible season, a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With the Oklahoma City Thunder winning their first title in franchise history on Monday night, the offseason officially begins.

This year’s offseason feels like a crossroads for this franchise. The Sixers didn’t plan to tank, but that’s the role that injuries to most of the starting five forced them into. If the pick landed outside the top six, it was headed to OKC, and could you imagine the insult to injury if the pick was seventh? It didn’t go that way, thankfully, and now they hold a third overall pick and a rare shot to add real talent to a roster that was built to chase a title, not a lottery ball.

Who do they take? That’s the obvious question. The better question: do they keep the pick or trade down to get some draft capital and maybe move some salary? Here’s what I think happens on draft night.

Round 1, Pick 3: V. J. Edgecombe, Guard, Baylor

Edgecombe might not have been Philly’s first choice a few months ago, but the board shifted fast. With Ace Bailey’s camp turning down a Sixers visit, Edgecombe emerged as the cleaner, smarter pick. He showed up, competed, and made a real impression in team meetings. The Sixers valued his accountability, two-way energy, and high-motor effort. In a draft loaded with high-maintenance talent, Edgecombe is low drama and high upside.

He’s built for the modern NBA: quick first step, elite bounce, and active hands on defense. His shot isn’t all the way there, but scouts love the signs; his form is clean, and his free-throw percentage points to growth. What makes him even more appealing is how comfortable he looks off the ball. Playing alongside Tyrese Maxey, he doesn’t need touches to impact the game. He cuts, defends, and competes. That’s exactly what Philly needs.

There’s a broader message here, too. The Sixers don’t want to babysit prospects. Bailey sent his message by snubbing the visit. Philly will send one right back by crossing his name off their list. You don’t skip a top-three team and expect them to chase you. Edgecombe might not come with the same hype, but he brings fit, maturity, and zero off-court noise. That wins in June. And it matters even more in April.

Round 2, Pick 35: Chaz Lanier, Guard, Tennessee

Lanier is one of the best value picks in this draft. He averaged 18 points at Tennessee, shot nearly 40% from deep, and torched SEC defenses all year. Philly needs shooting around Joel Embiid and Maxey. Lanier checks that box with confidence. He’s not just a spot-up guy either; he can create off the dribble, run second-unit offense, and stretch the floor late in games. If the Sixers are smart, they don’t overthink this pick, even though they are picking a guard with the 3rd pick.

Lanier’s game aged well over his college career. He played four seasons and got better every year. That matters for a Sixers team looking for immediate bench production. His basketball IQ is high, and he’s built for spacing-heavy lineups. You don’t lead Tennessee in scoring by accident. You do it by being reliable, tough, and clutch. Lanier hit big shots all season and backed it up with poise and polish.

Second-round picks usually carry risk. This one doesn’t. Lanier gives you efficient scoring, strong decision-making, and no learning curve. He won’t need development years in the G-League. He’ll walk into camp with a role to win. In a draft class full of projects, he’s a plug-and-play option. Philly needs contributors, not passengers. Lanier gives them that.

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