The NBA offseason just got spicier. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Philadelphia 76ers are quietly emerging as a serious wild card in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. Picture Durant, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey forming a high-powered trio that could dominate the East.

The reported framework? Paul George and two first-round picks to Phoenix—while Philly holds onto the No. 3 pick for another big move.

The trade framework would see Paul George heading to Phoenix along with two first-round picks. While George struggled with injuries last season (16.2 PPG in 41 games), Kevin O’Connor explained Phoenix’s potential motivation: “You might say, ‘Why do you want Paul George after the year he had?’ But not if you refurbish his value in Phoenix. If he has a good year with Devin Booker, he becomes either a keeper or a trade asset for more picks.”

For the Sixers, this is about going all-in while Embiid is still in his prime. Swapping out George—who averaged just 16.2 points in 41 games—for Kevin Durant is a massive upgrade, even if it costs picks. And for Phoenix? George isn’t just salary filler. O’Connor believes a bounce-back season next to Devin Booker could boost his trade value or make him a keeper.

Meanwhile, Morey isn’t banking solely on Durant. That No. 3 pick is a weapon. The Sixers have worked out top prospects like VJ Edgecombe and Ace Bailey. They’ve also talked with San Antonio about moving up to No. 2 to grab Dylan Harper. Other teams are calling about the pick too, knowing Philly might be open to flipping it in a blockbuster.

Nothing’s finalized yet. The Suns are weighing offers, and the Sixers aren’t rushing to dump George. But the league moves fast—and Morey is always ready to shake things up. The draft is around the corner. The pressure is building. And if Kevin Durant gets moved? Don’t be surprised if it’s Philly that pulls the trigger.

Daryl Morey doesn’t do quiet offseasons. As the NBA Draft approaches, the Sixers’ president is orchestrating his latest high-stakes gamble – a potential trade-up to secure Rutgers’ phenom Dylan Harper, a move that could redefine Philadelphia’s future while keeping their championship window wide open.

Philadelphia has engaged San Antonio about swapping the No. 3 pick for the Spurs’ No. 2 selection, multiple sources confirm. The target? Harper, the 6’6″ two-way guard whom scouts consider the draft’s clear second-best prospect behind Cooper Flagg. For a Sixers franchise holding its highest pick since drafting Joel Embiid in 2014, Harper represents both immediate backcourt insurance and a long-term backcourt partner for Tyrese Maxey.

What makes Harper so enticing is his rare combination of size and playmaking – he could allow Philadelphia to deploy Maxey more aggressively as a scorer while handling primary distribution duties. The Sixers have done due diligence on other top prospects (working out Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe and scheduling a session with Rutgers’ Ace Bailey), but league sources say Harper remains their “priority scenario.”

San Antonio presents the perfect trade partner – and obstacle. While the Spurs covet Harper, their backcourt logjam (De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell) creates potential flexibility. The asking price would likely include Philadelphia’s 2028 first-rounder plus additional assets – a steep but perhaps justifiable cost for a player of Harper’s caliber.

This isn’t just about one pick. Morey’s aggressive maneuvering signals Philadelphia’s dual focus: bolstering Embiid’s championship timeline while securing the next core. Whether they land Harper, trade down for more assets, or package the pick in a blockbuster deal, the Sixers are positioning themselves as this draft’s most fascinating wild card. With Kevin Durant reportedly preferring to land in Texas, the trade market could see even more seismic shifts as contenders jockey for position.