Ace Bailey dominated in his freshman campaign at Rutgers, cementing his status as one of the top prospects in this year’s NBA Draft. The 6’10” wing combines impressive shooting from everywhere on the court with a dynamic defensive skill set, both of which set him apart in this draft class.
However, his decision not to visit any NBA team facilities has created uncertainty about his draft stock. As draft day approaches (Wednesday, Jun 25), here’s where the Scarlet Knights star could land.
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Top 5 NBA Landing Spots for Ace Bailey
Washington Wizards
Although Ace Bailey has long been projected to be the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, it now seems that he could find his future home with the Wizards. He has declined workout invites from Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Utah, who have the No. 3, 4, and 5 picks, respectively.
Despite this, Bailey’s camp has said they “feel confident going into the draft process,” suggesting that he has been in talks with a team that has assured him of selection. The Wizards have the No. 6 pick and need the versatility that Bailey could provide.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are picking right after the Wizards on Wednesday. Since Bailey seems uninterested in the top five teams, New Orleans could be the team that the wing has been in touch with. The Pelicans have a wing-heavy lineup where Bailey could fit in nicely and develop alongside players with similar skill sets.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are yet another guess for the team that Bailey has been speaking to. Brooklyn has the No. 8 pick and is in the midst of a rebuild, offering an opportunity for Bailey to emerge as a difference-maker early on in his professional career. The wing would likely get good playing time in Brooklyn and could develop alongside a young roster.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have the No. 3 overall pick and have been long projected to select Bailey. Ever since Bailey refused the workout invitation from Philadelphia, it has been suggested that the team may choose to draft Baylor star VJ Edgecombe instead.
However, there is still a possibility that the 76ers will draft Bailey. Surrounded by veteran talent in Philadelphia, the 18-year-old will be allowed to develop without immediate pressure. However, the 76ers have to determine whether they’re willing to draft someone who may not be eager to play for the organization.
Utah Jazz
Bailey also declined a workout invitation from the Jazz, but the team could still select the wing against his wishes with the No. 5 overall pick. Utah is looking for new franchise stars to build around with President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge’s new leadership. This would offer Bailey the immediate opportunity to play a significant number of minutes and hone his skill set through experience on the court.
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