Pelicans to Move Up And Draft Ace Bailey: Reports

The Sixers might be willing to trade their pick out for the proper price if they decide not to select Ace Bailey.

Pelicans to Move Up And Draft Ace Bailey: Reports

Ace Bailey (Image by FirstSportz)

New admirers have come into the ring as a result of Ace Bailey‘s reluctance to work with other NBA teams, which has decreased his draft stock. The Philadelphia 76ers, whom many analysts predicted Ace would be selected by with the third pick, were the team to whom Bailey most recently canceled a tryout. Now, as per sources, the New Orleans Pelicans are seriously considering a move to sign Bailey for their roster.

According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Bailey turned down “several” invitations to pre-draft workouts. The 6-foot-10 wing’s camp has reportedly stated that the player wants “a clear path to stardom” in the NBA. Notably, the Philadelphia 76ers reporter Keith Pompey claims that Bailey’s level of maturity is “age-appropriate” for a teenager, citing sources with ties to the player.

Now, another insider, Rafael Barlowe, said that the Pelicans are seriously interested in Bailey.

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 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.

Rafel Barlowe wrote on X

Despite having great players like Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Dejounte Murray, injuries and a difficult Western Conference have kept the Pelicans from competing in the West, leaving New Orleans at a crossroads. Bailey is the ideal person to lead the team as New Orleans contemplates a rebuild. He can play well at the small forward slot alongside McCollum and Williamson.

The Sixers might be willing to trade their pick out for the proper price if they decide not to select Bailey. Additionally, they can decide to select VJ Edgecombe, an athletic guard who better suits their needs, with the third pick. The Wizards were given the advantage to select Bailey in either scenario.

His fluid shooting technique makes his jumper hard to defend for someone his height, but evaluators say his ball-handling needs to get better at the next level. It remains to be seen on which team the talented prospect ends up on for the 2025-26 NBA season.

NBA insider makes an interesting revelation regarding Ace Bailey’s future NBA team

The Utah Jazz have the fifth overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Also, with that pick approaching next week, this team has a fantastic chance to bolster their roster with a top young player after a terrible 17-win campaign. However, talented prospect Ace Bailey who is tipped to be picked as the 3rd Draft pick is not interesting in the Jazz, per reports.

Bailey’s draft stock has fluctuated in recent weeks, but he also doesn’t seem to be very interested in the Jazz, based on Jeremy Woo of DraftExpress in ESPN’s most recent mock draft.

Bailey, who continues sliding down the board in this scenario, doesn’t appear to have much interest in Utah and is viewed by most teams as a riskier bet.

Jeremy Woo wrote
Ace Bailey
Ace Bailey (Credits: X)

Bailey was frequently considered a top-three pick with one of the class’s highest ceilings in the months preceding this summer’s draft, but his pre-draft process has caused some of that status to change. As mentioned above, many find him immature and highly demanding, but only time will tell whether or not Bailey reaches his full potential in his pro basketball career.

Cooper Flagg becomes the latest cover athlete for Sports Illustrated ahead of Ace Bailey

Cooper Flagg, the standout player for the Duke Blue Devils, is almost set to be among the players to hear his name first, announced on June 25. He edged the likes of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper for the No.1 pick. Now, he also becomes the latest cover athlete for Sports Illustrated ahead of Bailey and Harper.

Flagg guided Duke to an incredible 35-4 season, winning the conference tournament and the ACC regular season. Flagg produced a season that was historic. He led Duke in every significant statistical category and won the Wooden Award, Naismith Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year.

He also swept the major national trophies. Flagg’s achievements speak for himself and is miles ahead of Harper and Bailey for the No.1 pick ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. That said, it will be interesting to watch how the draft unfolds in the coming week.

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