Ace Bailey's cancellations an attempt to determine draft landing spot?
Rutgers' Ace Bailey against Northwestern on Jan. 29 in Evanston, Illinois. Credit: Getty Images/Michael Reaves
No situation is more intriguing going into the 2025 NBA Draft that begins Wednesday night at Barclays Center that the one surrounding Ace Bailey.
The 6-10 standout who just finished his freshman season at Rutgers canceled every workout he scheduled with NBA teams, a move that looks like and attempt to orchestrate what team selects him.
Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds for the Scarlet Knights and came out of the season viewed as the No. 3 prospect behind Duke’s Cooper Flagg and then Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper. The Philadelphia 76ers have the No. 3 pick, however this past week Bailey and his representatives canceled a scheduled workout with them.
He sidestepped all questions about his situation when taking questions from reporters on Tuesday.
“I'm just blessed to be in the position I am right now,” Bailey said of canceling. Asked if he was concerned about the impression he’s making, he replied, “I can only control what I control — you can think how you think.”
It’s contrarian to want to fall in a draft — especially because it could cost millions on a first contract — however Bailey may prefer a different destination than Philadelphia. That said, he really has little control over whether Philadelphia selects him or not. The Hornets, Jazz, Wizards. Pelicans and Nets follow the Sixers in order.
“He's the third most-talented player in this draft, outside of Flagg and Harper — there are very few players that come out at 18 and have his shot-making ability,” ESPN Draft analyst Jay Bilas said. “I'm not bothered by him not wanting to work out for different teams if he wants to go a certain place. If it was OK for Eli Manning and John Elway to do it, I don't see why it's not OK for him.
“I wouldn't schedule something and then cancel out,” he added. “You know, that's a question of professionalism.”
It also might be part of Bailey’s strategy. NBA organizations are heavily invested in the character of the players they draft. Oklahoma City and Indiana just played in the NBA Finals and both rosters were laden with high-character, self-sacrificing players.
Former Nets assistant GM Bobby Marks said it looks like Bailey is attempting to dictate his destination.
“Maybe you see yourself as a better fit somewhere, even if it's going to cost you $14-$15 million by sliding from three to six,” he said. “But maybe there’s a belief that you can make that up in the future at that place.”
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
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