Which players did the Sixers tank for? Assessing the best available prospects in the 2025 NBA draft.

The Sixers are in the draft lottery for the first time since 2017 after a disastrous 24-58 season. That was the NBA’s fifth-worst record, giving them a 10.5% chance to land the first overall pick in the May 12 drawing in Chicago and a 63.9% chance to keep their top-six protected pick.

The good news? If the Sixers do keep that selection, this draft class, headlined by Cooper Flagg, is widely considered to be excellent.

So which players were the Sixers tanking for the chance to pick? Here is a breakdown:

The 6-foot-9 Flagg out is considered a generational prospect because of his diverse and refined skill set on both ends of the floor, his NBA-ready frame, and his natural feel for the game. We wrote about Flagg when he played in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in Newark, N.J.

The 6-6, 215-pound Harper is considered the unanimous No. 2 prospect because of his ability to attack downhill to get to the rim or create for teammates. The combo guard’s footwork has particularly impressed evaluators. And as the son of Ron Harper, he has NBA pedigree.

» READ MORE: What do the Sixers need to return to form in 2025-26? Coach Nick Nurse explains.

Should the Sixers move up to this spot in the lottery, though, it will be fascinating to follow their approach. President of basketball operations Daryl Morey said during his end-of-season news conference that he would select the best prospect available at their draft spot, regardless of position. But the Sixers already boast a talented young backcourt with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and, potentially, Quentin Grimes. That could make trading the pick for a win-now player or collection of assets an intriguing option.

One look at Bailey’s athletic 6-10, 200-pound frame makes it easy to understand why he is such an enticing prospect. He is considered an eye-popping shot-maker … and questionable shot-taker. And though he possesses defensive potential, he has not consistently shown it on the court.

Edgecombe is an electric athlete who can throw down highlight-reel dunks, generate steals (2.1 per game), and fly in for blocks. Though he must still develop as a consistent shooter and ballhandler, some mock drafts have moved the 6-5, 180-pound Edgecombe ahead of Bailey, who had been considered the third-best prospect at the start of the college basketball season.

Johnson is a straight-up bucket-getter, averaging 19.9 points while shooting 39.7% from three-point range. Like the Rutgers prospects, there are questions about how the 6-6 Johnson impacts winning — though he spearheaded Texas’ efforts in the SEC tournament and NCAA First Four.

» READ MORE: Daryl Morey has no regrets about the Al Horford trade that could cost the Sixers a first-rounder

Evaluators say he needs to refine the other attributes that define an NBA lead guard, but he has the early makings of a microwave scorer at that level.

Calling Knueppel solely a dynamite long-range shooter — he made 40.6% of his 5.3 three-point attempts per game — is too simplistic. He is a crafty, high-IQ playmaker who would instantly fit on virtually any roster — though may have a ceiling because of athletic limitations. We wrote about the 6-7 Knueppel when he played in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in Newark.

The 6-6, 200-pound Jakucionis controls the offensive pace with his passing, vision, and shot creation. He averaged 4.7 assists, but his 3.7 turnovers per game are concerning, including six in each of the Illini’s NCAA Tournament games. He also ended his college season in a shooting slump, going 21-for-64 in his final six games.

Queen boasts an impressive offensive repertoire for his 6-10, 246-pound size, as evidenced by his game-winner against Colorado State to propel Maryland to the Sweet 16. But the Baltimore native has a lot of work to do to become an interior defensive force.

Fears is another explosive guard with impressive ballhandling and creation instincts, averaging 4.1 assists with the Sooners last season.

» READ MORE: NBA draft lottery primer: What’s at stake for the Sixers, and how the drawing actually works

But the 6-4, 182-pounder needs to improve his jumper — and shot selection — after going 28.4% from beyond the arc and 43.4% from the floor overall. He is still only 18 years old, perhaps making him more of a long-term project.

Murray-Boyles utilizes his 6-8, 245-pound frame as a fabulous, versatile defender and rebounder. On the offensive end, he is physical and can make plays with the ball in his hands, but he has a lot of work to do as a shooting threat. He took only 34 three-pointers all season, making nine, which does not exactly fit the modern NBA.

The 7-2 Maluach boasts incredible size and length — including a 9-foot-8 standing reach — making him a dangerous lob threat, rim protector, and defender capable of guarding along the perimeter. The South Sudanese big man did not begin playing basketball until he was a teenager, making some of his skills raw, especially on the offensive end. We wrote about Maluach when he played in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in Newark.