Ace Bailey is considered one of the top NBA draft prospects in recent years. Some analysts have described the Rutgers forward as a can’t-miss superstar, while others have raised questions about how his shot selection will translate to the NBA.
Bailey has been projected as a top-five pick for most of the draft cycle, but his position in the 2025 NBA Draft remains uncertain. A draft insider recently shared insight into which teams could end up selecting him.
Wizards & Pelicans Could Select Ace Bailey if He Slides
In an ESPN story, Jonathan Givony offered a sneak peek into Bailey’s pre-draft process, which teams may be interested in him, and where the 6’10” wing could potentially land.
“Bailey’s predraft workout strategy has perplexed some observers, as he has yet to conduct a single known workout to date, having declined invitations from several teams within his draft range,” Givony said.
“Sources say Bailey’s camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft, but also seeks a clear pathway to stardom, perhaps feeling comfortable that a team will trade up to get him at Nos. 3 or 4, should he drop.”
Bailey’s camp clearly views him as a potential superstar with a ceiling that NBA teams should be clamoring over. In his lone season at Rutgers, he averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field, 34% from beyond the arc, and 70% from the free-throw line.
While his 3-point percentage isn’t as high as many might hope for a player who frequently has the ball in his hands, his rebounding numbers show he contributes in more ways than just scoring. The Rutgers forward has a workout scheduled with the Philadelphia 76ers, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll meet with any other teams before the draft.
“Should the Sixers pass on him, he could very well slide to the No. 6 or No. 7 picks, two teams in Washington and New Orleans that are said to be highly intrigued with the 18-year-old’s talent. And both are situations in which there appear to be plenty of minutes and shots to be had,” Givony said.
The Sixers selecting Bailey would fill a need they desperately desire. PFSN’s Cam Mellor also has the 6’10” wing heading to Philly as well.
Unless Paul George is traded with Bailey’s selection, having a veteran at a similar position could supply the tools any rookie needs to succeed, and George can certainly provide that.
The Wizards and Pelicans may be more logical fits for Bailey if he truly wants the ball in his hands and envisions himself as a future superstar. Both teams are young and searching for a franchise cornerstone to guide them out of the bottom tier of the league.
With just one week remaining to impress NBA teams, Bailey is racing against the clock if he hopes to hear his name called near the top of the draft on June 25.
