The Philadelphia 76ers‘ draft preparations took a new blow on Wednesday, June 18, as Ace Bailey reportedly cancelled his workout with the franchise. Bailey remains the only US-born talent not to work out with an NBA team heading into the draft.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported the news of Bailey’s decision, which came just days before he was set to travel to Philadelphia.
“Bailey, the No. 3 prospect on ESPN’s big board, was slated to fly to Philadelphia on Friday for dinner with the team’s front office and a private workout, but elected to cancel Wednesday, sources told ESPN,” Givony and Shams Charania reported. “…The Sixers have not ruled out selecting Bailey despite his refusal to visit, sources told ESPN. The team has scouted him extensively throughout the season since he plays at nearby Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey, and interviewed him in Chicago at the NBA draft combine. The team will have final discussions on who to select in the coming week and is unlikely to move down in the draft order, sources said.”
Bailey’s decision to back out of a workout with the Sixers will further complicate his standing on draft night. The top of the 2025 draft class brims with high-level talent, and his current approach might cost him a shot at landing a top lottery pick.
VJ Edgecombe Reportedly Impressing the Sixers
Bailey’s position as a top-3 draft pick is under further pressure due to the positive impression VJ Edgecombe has reportedly made on the Sixers front office. Givony recently predicted that the guard out of Baylor is potentially ahead of Bailey on the Sixers’ big board.
“Edgecombe takes over this spot from Ace Bailey in ESPN’s mock draft after a positive visit to Philadelphia, where sources say he made a strong impression in a private workout as well as in meetings with the front office and ownership,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported. “He appears to be “the leader in the clubhouse” currently.”
Givony continued.
“Surrounding the hyper-explosive Edgecombe with prolific 3-point shooters such as Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes and Paul George could add another dimension to the Sixers’ offense, especially if the team buys into the development of his passing ability long term.”
Edgecombe would create somewhat of a logjam at the guard positions for the Sixers. However, his elite-level upside and explosivness may be too good for Daryl Morey to turn down, especially now that Bailey has cancelled his chance to impress the team’s coaching staff.
Mock Draft Sees Sixers Take Edgecombe
A recent mock draft from Adam Aaronson of the Philadelphia Voice, saw the Sixers take VJ Edgecombe with the third overall pick.
“A trade down still seems very possible, but if they stick and pick Edgecombe may very well be the guy,” Aaronson wrote. “…The people who would advocate against taking Edgecombe this high would point to the fact that he is a true guard like Maxey and Jared McCain, while someone like Bailey could play alongside the team’s two current long-term building blocks.”
Edgecombe should enter draft night slightly favored to secure the third overall pick over Bailey. Morey could also have some sleeper targets. He could also opt to make a trade. Nevertheless, the Sixers have a ton of options as we approach draft night. It will be interesting to see how much Bailey has hurt his stock with his latest perplexing decision.
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