Philadelphia 76ers Finally Trading No. 3 Pick in NBA Draft, Set to Select Cooper Flagg After He Rejects Duke and Mavericks
June 20, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA
After weeks of swirling rumors and intense speculation, the Philadelphia 76ers have made a franchise-altering decision: they are trading up to secure the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft with the intent to select high school phenom Cooper Flagg. The move comes after Flagg made headlines by rejecting a potential return to college powerhouse Duke and declining a pre-draft promise from the Dallas Mavericks.
Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward from Maine, is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and promising prospects in recent memory. After reclassifying to the 2024 high school class and spending a year at Montverde Academy in Florida, Flagg shocked the basketball world earlier this year by opting out of his commitment to Duke University, citing his readiness for the NBA and a desire to begin his professional journey immediately.
Flagg also reportedly turned down an aggressive recruitment push from the Dallas Mavericks, who held the No. 3 pick before completing a blockbuster deal with Philadelphia. League sources confirm that the 76ers sent a package centered around young guard Tyrese Maxey, along with two future first-round picks, to acquire the rights to select Flagg.
Flagg’s representatives made it clear in recent weeks that he had no interest in joining the Mavericks, citing concerns about team fit and long-term development. That decision played a major role in Dallas’ willingness to trade the pick.
For the 76ers, this move marks a bold new chapter. After falling short in the Eastern Conference playoffs yet again, and with questions surrounding the long-term viability of their current core, team president Daryl Morey appears to be making a calculated pivot toward the future. Pairing Flagg with reigning MVP Joel Embiid could form the foundation of a new era in Philadelphia basketball.
“This is a generational player,” said Morey in a statement following the trade announcement. “We’ve been watching Cooper Flagg for years. His talent, defensive intensity, and basketball IQ are off the charts. This was a rare opportunity to change the direction of the franchise.”
Flagg’s rise to stardom has been meteoric. At just 18 years old, he has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant, Scottie Pippen, and even a young LeBron James. His ability to guard multiple positions, shoot from deep, and act as a secondary playmaker makes him a dream fit in today’s NBA.
Fans in Philadelphia are already buzzing about the move, with social media flooded with excitement over what Flagg could bring to the team. The city, long known for its passionate and often impatient sports base, may finally have a new young star to believe in.
The 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 26, and barring any last-minute surprises, Cooper Flagg will officially become a 76er. While the team has not confirmed Flagg’s selection publicly due to league rules, insiders say the paperwork is already being finalized.
One thing is clear: the Sixers are going all in on a bold new future — and Cooper Flagg is at the center of it.
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