The 2025 NBA Draft is quickly approaching and Rutgers star Ace Bailey is one of the most talked-about players entering it. He has drawn a lot of attention because of his decision not to work out with teams ahead of the draft.
Typically, NBA prospects will work out with several teams heading into the draft, especially a few around the range they are projected to be drafted in. However, Bailey decided to forgo those workouts.
Bailey and his camp have also been rumored to be trying to influence NBA teams so that he ends up on one of a few select teams. He seems to be trying to avoid some teams at the top of the draft.
On Wednesday morning, NBA analyst Evan Sidery wrote on X that Bailey’s camp has let it be known that he does not want to be drafted by the Charlotte Hornets or Utah Jazz. He referenced the “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast.
“Ace Bailey’s camp has also let it be known they do not want to be drafted by the Hornets or Jazz, per Draft Express,” Sidery wrote. “Bailey is trying to force his way to a preferred destination outside the top-five.”
Ace Bailey’s camp has also let it be known they do not want to be drafted by the Hornets or Jazz, per @DraftExpress (https://t.co/nvRFSaRnUL).
Bailey is trying to force his way to a preferred destination outside the top-five. pic.twitter.com/JPgUS5UeSm
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 25, 2025
On Tuesday, Ace Bailey spoke with NBA media about how he has been handling the public criticism for his pre-draft decisions.
“I’m just working on basketball, that’s all I’m focused on so far,” Bailey said. “I feel like I can only control what I can control. I mean, you can think how you think but I can control what I can control. I’m focused on basketball, that’s my decision. Just basketball.”
Ace Bailey Could Fall out of the Top Five of the 2025 NBA Draft
If it is true that Ace Bailey has made it known to the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz that he does not want to be drafted by them, there is a good chance he will fall out of the top five. The first three picks appear nearly locked in with Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe likely going in those spots. The Hornets and Jazz then hold the fourth and fifth picks.
On draft night, it would not be a surprise to see Ace Bailey fall. Not working out with teams could make NBA teams hesitant to select him. However, despite those issues, the Washington Wizards have been linked to Bailey with the sixth pick by many mock drafts.
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