It seems like the New Orleans Pelicans have decided who they want to secure with their No. 7 overall pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft. According to NBA Draft Consultant Rafael Barlowe, the Pelicans are very serious about selecting Rutgers star Ace Bailey.
News of New Orleans’ interest in Bailey was shared by NBA Central on X on Wednesday.
“Some believe Bailey could be hoping to find his shooting rhythm in a city known for jazz. But it’s not just Brooklyn,” Barlowe wrote. “New Orleans has been linked to Bailey—the interest was first reported by Kevin O’Connor weeks ago—and it’s only intensified. I’ve been told the Pelicans are very, very serious about trying to move up and make Bailey their guy.”
The Pelicans are reportedly very serious about finding a way to acquire Ace Bailey, per @Barlowe500
“Some believe Bailey could be hoping to find his shooting rhythm in a city known for jazz. But it’s not just Brooklyn. New Orleans has been linked to Bailey—the interest was… pic.twitter.com/GDIfID5gAa
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 25, 2025
Barlowe alleged that New Orleans has been linked to Bailey for several weeks and that the team’s interest in drafting the wing is on the rise. However, Barlowe also pointed out the Brooklyn Nets’ interest in Bailey.
It is believed that the Nets are looking to move up from the No. 8 spot to draft Bailey before the Pelicans get the chance to. The Scarlet Knights freshman phenom’s fate will be decided in tonight’s draft.
Reasons for the dip in Ace Bailey’s NBA draft stock
After his impressive freshman campaign at Rutgers, most mock drafts had Ace Bailey being selected No. 3 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite the fact that he remains in the No. 3 spot on ESPN’s big board, the publication now projects that the wing will be drafted No. 6 by the Washington Wizards. Rafael Barlowe believes Bailey could be selected No. 7 by New Orleans or No. 8 by Brooklyn.
A variety of factors have contributed to this decrease in Bailey’s draft stock, but one stands out as the most jarring. Bailey is the only U.S. prospect who has not visited an NBA team facility. He has rejected workout invitations from Philadelphia, Charlotte and Utah, who have picks 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Bailey’s lack of communication with the teams who have top picks has tanked his draft stock.
A few concerns about Bailey’s skill set have also emerged. He averaged 2.0 turnovers and just 1.3 assists per game in his freshman season, making him tied for 164th in assist percentage amongst the 173 Division I players with 500-plus minutes and a usage percentage equal to or greater than Bailey’s.
The wing’s true-shooting percentage also isn’t particularly promising. He was tied for 664th in true shooting percentage among 1,103 DI players who took at least 100 3-pointers.
Bailey’s shortcomings were further highlighted in his appearance at the NBA combine. His standing vertical, max vertical and time in the lane agility drill all left something to be desired. He was measured at 6-foot-7.5, two and a half inches shorter than he was listed at Rutgers.
Despite all of these concerns, Bailey’s camp says it is “confident going into the draft process.” They have suggesting that Bailey has been in communication with a team outside of the top five that has promised to draft him and has offered a long term plan for the wing that he finds attractive. If Barlowe is correct, that team could be the Pelicans or Nets.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
