If the Sixers were to trade up to the No. 2 overall pick for Dylan Harper, as a recent rumor suggested they’re looking at doing, it would give Philadelphia the point guard it has long coveted, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes (Subscriber link). Harper would pair nicely with Tyrese Maxey while Jared McCain and Quentin Grimes could split on/off-ball duties.
But if Philadelphia didn’t land No. 2, sticking at No. 3 or trading down are just as feasible, and the third pick feels somewhat like the turning point of the draft. While the Sixers are reportedly impressed with Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, they’re split on Harper’s Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey, per Pompey.
In 30 games last year, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
We have more rumors out of the draft:
- San Francisco guard Marcus Williams and Kansas guard Zeke Mayo both worked out for the Heat, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. Neither player is projected to be drafted, but Miami has a strong history of finding overlooked key players. Williams averaged 15.1 points and 4.3 assists last year while Mayo averaged 14.6 points. Both players shot over 40.0% from three. Rounding up recent mocks, Jackson writes that Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf and Rasheer Fleming are among popular picks for the Heat if they stick with their 20th overall selection.
- Georgetown center Thomas Sorber visited with the Jazz, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones (Twitter link). Sorber is recovering from his season-ending foot injury, so he didn’t work out but instead had dinner with team officials and underwent medical evaluation. Sorber is ESPN’s 18th best-available prospect and the Jazz hold picks Nos. 5, 21, 43 and 53.
- HoopsHype updated its aggregate mock draft that combines evaluations from 10 major sites to provide a consensus prediction. Bailey remains at No. 3 with Edgecombe going fourth to the Hornets. Jeremiah Fears (mocked sixth to the Wizards) and Cedric Coward (mocked 15th to the Thunder) are among internal late risers.