The teams are quickly moving on from the current season. With a lot on stake for the upcoming year, the teams are trying their best to make the most formidable lineups possible. And in order to do that, having a good lottery pick is always a plus. The Philadelphia 76ers are one such lucky team. Having the luxury to pick 3rd, they are eyeing one of the most elite players from Rutgers.
With Cooper Flagg likely going to the Dallas Mavericks, the 76ers are reportedly targeting Rutgers’ forward, Ace Bailey. Speaking in a recent episode of ‘Takeoff Podcast,’ special guest Daryl Morey stated what the 76ers’ stance would be like. According to Morey, the 76ers would want Bailey to come in and become the part of a formidable trio along with the likes of Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
“Ace is a tremendous player, absolutely somebody we are considering. We feel very good about who we’re going to pick. Ace is for sure someone we are considering,” said Morey.
“Ace is a tremendous player, absolutely somebody we are considering. We feel very good about who we’re going to pick. Ace is for sure someone we are considering”
-Daryl Morey on possibility of drafting Ace Bailey with 3rd pick. Good podcast with Darylhttps://t.co/QhUIpgkZrH
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 15, 2025
Surely, the 76ers will be hoping that Bailey does come out all guns blazing as he has done for Rutgers. After all, this season, the sixers were 24-58, painting a sorrowful picture both for themselves as well as their fans. Meanwhile, with Joel Embiid seemingly secured for the upcoming season, the star had some tensions going on with the authorities.
Joel Embiid Had Tensions With The Philadelphia 76ers In The Past
The urge to bring in Ace Bailey was pretty much understandable. In a season marred by injuries, star player Joel Embiid too, was not an exception. While Embiid has had his share of injury woes, this year was a forgettable one for him. With persistent complications concerning his knees, Embiid kept missing games for the 76ers. And this was not something that the authorities took lightly.
“One thing as well to keep in mind here going into the offseason, there was some tension there between Joel Embiid and that front office from my understanding…The team believed he needed to play at some point…He felt like he needed surgery,” Charania said during an April episode of First Take.
Shams: “One thing as well to keep in mind here going into the offseason, there was some tension there between Joel Embiid and that front office from my understanding…The team believed he needed to play at some point…He felt like he needed surgery.”
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) April 3, 2025
Thus, with things looking a bit rosy, it remains to be seen how well the Philadelphia 76ers can make a comeback.
Also Read: Tyrese Haliburton Reveals Unexpected Playoff Mentor In Joel Embiid Amid Breakout Run