This used to be a Holiday in Bricktown, NBA Draft Lottery day with hopes resting in the balance as the Oklahoma City Thunder attempted to retool its roster. No

The Philadelphia 76ers just endured several months of desperately clinging to their first-round pick. If the pick had landed outside of the top six, it would have gone to the Oklahoma City Thunder, so the 76ers spent the second half of last season tanking in an effort to keep it.

The Philadelphia 76ers had their title hopes derailed by a relentless slew of injuries last season, but that came with a silver lining. Rather than convey their top-six-protected first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Sixers wound up winning the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft lottery.

Jan 12, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dives for loose ball with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center.

Despite recent rumors that the Philadelphia 76ers could look to use the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey gave his reaction to the Oklahoma City Thunder preparing to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs.