The Philadelphia 76ers loom as a flashpoint in the 2025 draft amid a report from 6ABC’s Jason Dumas on X on June 18 that highly-rated prospect Ace Bailey, who has not met with any teams, was seeking a promise from the organization before meeting with them.
A new report casts doubts on that being Bailey’s camp’s stance.
Bailey canceled his meeting with the Sixers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania, but it may not have been related to a promise from the organization to the prospect at all.
“An in-person visit surely would have increased Bailey’s chances of becoming the Sixers’ selection,” The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer wrote on June 19. “Did Bailey’s camp cancel because it is trying to orchestrate where he ultimately lands? Did it cancel because Bailey has a promise from another team in the upper reaches of the lottery? One source briefed on the process told The Stein Line that, contrary to reports, Bailey’s camp has not insisted on an iron-clad promise from the Sixers that they will draft him.
“There’s no savvy reason to avoid working out for Philadelphia unless you’re secure and comfortable with the Hornets picking you at No. 4. Yet any suggestion of such synergy between Charlotte and Bailey has not yet circulated on the NBA grapevine.”
Fischer also wrote that rival teams believe Bailey could land with the Utah Jazz at No. 5 overall.
However, Bailey’s potential efforts to avoid the 76ers could end up with the former Scarlet Knights star in Philadelphia anyway.
Draft Insider: Ace Bailey Seeking ‘Clear Pathway to Stardom’
GettyAce Bailey #21 looks on during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
Bailey’s decision appears more about finding a landing spot, be it the 76ers or another team, that will guarantee him an opportunity rather than a selection.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony noted Bailey has slid from his top-three perch in his projections.
“NBA teams are a little bit perplexed about his pre-draft process. He’s the only player who is yet to conduct a single workout to this point. He has not visited any NBA team facilities,” Givony told Malika Andrews on “NBA Today” on June 18. “Ace Bailey’s camp is adamant in conversations that he’s a top-three player in this draft, and they’re looking for a clear pathway to stardom, both with minutes and opportunity.”
The 76ers have stars in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and a promising youngster in Jared McCain, all of whom could make it difficult to meet Bailey’s rumored expectations.
Givony went on to say that Bailey’s camp is confident he will land in a desirable destination if the 76ers decide to pass on him, though Givony and Charania reported that selecting the 6-foot-10 forward sight unseen is not out of the question.
Sixers Could Draft Ace Bailey Without Meeting
GettyAce Bailey #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dribbles against the Northwestern Wildcats.
Charania and Givony’s report on Bailey is notable amid speculation that the 76ers could be a team to monitor for a potential trade down in the first round of the 2025 draft.
“The Sixers have not ruled out selecting Bailey despite his refusal to visit, sources told ESPN,” Charania and Givony wrote on June 18. 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.”
There remains intrigue around Bailey, the Sixers, and other potentially interested teams.
“A lot of uncertainty about how this is all going to play out. No one really knows how it’s going to end up,” Givony said. “Where Bailey would [get] picked, that’s going to be one of the biggest storylines I’m going to be tracking on draft night.”
If it is the 76ers, Bailey would join Nerlens Noel as first-round picks to land in Philly under these kinds of circumstances.
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