New NBA Mock Draft Predicts Philadelphia 76ers to Land Potential Joel Embiid Successor in Blockbuster Frontcourt Future Shift
The Philadelphia 76ers are staring down a pivotal offseason, and a new NBA mock draft has added fuel to the fire by projecting the Sixers to select a player viewed by scouts as a potential successor to franchise centerpiece Joel Embiid. The pick has sent ripples through the fan base and stirred up fresh conversation about the team’s long-term vision—and how Embiid’s health, timeline, and future in Philly might influence the next chapter of the Sixers’ frontcourt.
While Embiid remains a top-five player in the NBA when healthy, injuries have repeatedly halted the Sixers’ playoff ambitions. After yet another postseason marred by his absence, patience is beginning to wear thin in Philadelphia. And now, this latest draft projection suggests the Sixers might be preparing for more than just a complementary piece—they might be eyeing the future cornerstone of their frontcourt.
The Pick: Who the Sixers Are Projected to Take
According to the new mock draft from a respected national outlet, the Sixers are expected to use their first-round selection to grab a towering big man who has shot up draft boards in recent months. Standing over seven feet tall with a versatile skill set, this player profiles as a modern NBA center—capable of rim protection, running the floor, switching onto guards, and even stepping out to hit a mid-range or three-point shot.
What makes this pick particularly eye-catching is that the player in question has drawn loose comparisons to a younger Embiid—not in terms of dominance, but in style and potential. He’s raw, to be sure. But scouts see the outlines of a future All-Star if placed in the right developmental system.
The Sixers might be that system.
This move doesn’t mean Embiid is being shown the door. Far from it. But in a league increasingly defined by depth, youth, and flexibility, teams must plan for both the present and the future. Drafting a big with starter upside gives Philadelphia both a contingency plan and a development project—someone who can back up Embiid now, learn under his shadow, and step forward if the worst-case scenario strikes.
The Embiid Question
At the heart of this conversation is the unavoidable truth: Joel Embiid will be 31 at the start of the 2025-26 season and has never played a full NBA season. His injury history is extensive. From foot fractures to torn menisci, the All-NBA center has fought through pain and adversity time and again. He’s the reigning MVP from 2023 and remains one of the most physically imposing players in the league, but his body continues to betray him at the worst possible moments.
The Sixers have tied their identity to Embiid for nearly a decade. And rightly so. His talent, charisma, and dominance have turned Philadelphia into a perennial playoff contender. But GM Daryl Morey and the front office understand that sustainability in the NBA requires constant recalibration. If Embiid cannot stay healthy long-term, the franchise must be ready to pivot.
Drafting a successor doesn’t mean giving up on the present—it means preparing for any eventuality. That’s simply smart roster building in today’s NBA.
Style of Play and Fit
The projected pick is not just tall—he’s mobile, explosive, and defensively intuitive. At his best, he offers rim protection without sacrificing switchability. He shows flashes of a developing offensive game, with a soft touch around the rim and surprising fluidity facing up. In an ideal world, he becomes the type of center who can run with Tyrese Maxey in transition, clean up the glass, and eventually develop into a two-way anchor.
On paper, he would fit beautifully in Philadelphia’s system. In the short term, he could provide quality backup minutes, allowing Embiid to rest more during the regular season. This could have an immediate impact on preserving Embiid’s health for playoff runs.
Moreover, under the tutelage of Embiid himself—one of the most technically skilled centers the league has ever seen—this rookie could thrive. The learning curve would be steep, but the mentorship would be invaluable. Imagine a scenario where the Sixers could eventually stagger their bigs without losing defensive integrity or paint presence.
Implications for the Sixers’ Roster Construction
This draft projection adds a wrinkle to the Sixers’ offseason calculus. They already face major decisions around Tobias Harris, who is likely to walk in free agency, and are expected to prioritize finding a true third star to pair with Embiid and Maxey. Names like Paul George and Jimmy Butler have been floated, but any blockbuster will involve major cap maneuvering.
By investing a first-round pick in a potential Embiid successor, the Sixers appear to be threading the needle—balancing win-now aspirations with responsible roster foresight. It also hints at a willingness to go young and athletic around Maxey, who has emerged as a future franchise cornerstone himself.
If the Sixers pull off a big free-agent signing or trade while also adding a developmental big, they could quickly become one of the league’s most balanced rosters—a team ready to contend now, while laying the foundation for the future.
Fan Reaction and Front Office Philosophy
Predictably, the reaction has been mixed. Some fans see the logic: protect against future Embiid injuries, maximize backup minutes, and groom the next great Sixers big. Others are skeptical, fearing it signals a shift away from believing in Embiid’s longevity or a hedging of bets that undermines the team’s present-day window.
But smart front offices don’t operate based on emotion. They deal in probabilities, contingencies, and long-term value. Morey has always been pragmatic and forward-thinking, and this projection aligns with that philosophy. He’s spoken before about “championship windows” and the importance of asset flexibility. Drafting a young center gives Philadelphia both.
And if the pick hits? The Sixers could once again possess the league’s most dominant frontcourt, even after Embiid steps off the stage.
The Bigger Picture: Life After Embiid?
This mock draft brings to the surface a deeper, more uncomfortable conversation: what does life after Joel Embiid look like?
It’s a question the Sixers have largely avoided—publicly, at least. But as Embiid enters the latter phase of his prime and with no guarantees his body will cooperate, the team must look ahead. Tyrese Maxey is a fantastic building block, but he alone cannot carry a contender. If this projected pick develops properly, he could become a major part of that post-Embiid future.
Even in the best-case scenario—where Embiid stays healthy and continues to dominate—the Sixers benefit. Having a young, athletic big off the bench bolsters their defense and provides much-needed depth, something they’ve lacked in recent years. The move is low-risk, high-reward.
The Sixers’ draft strategy has always been watched closely, especially since the days of “The Process.” This latest projection might not create the same buzz as lottery swings of years past, but it signals something arguably more important: a front office that’s thinking ahead, refusing to be caught flat-footed, and ready for whatever the next five years of basketball brings.
Whether or not this draft pick becomes a franchise player remains to be seen. But the philosophy behind the pick—the wisdom in planning, the willingness to evolve, and the quiet nod to Embiid’s uncertain durability—shows a maturity that Sixers fans should welcome.
In the end, this draft isn’t about replacing Embiid.
It’s about respecting what he’s given the franchise while ensuring that, if the torch ever needs to be passed, someone worthy is ready to catch it.
