The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 23. The Philadelphia 76ers hold the third overall pick. It’s still unclear whether Daryl Morey will make a selection or push to trade the pick and move down on the draft board.
If the Sixers stay at third, they will have a tough decision to make. Ace Bailey was previously viewed as a can’t missp prospect with the third-overall pick. However, his unwillingness to work out with NBA team could see his stock take a dip on draft night.
During a recent episode of the “Podcast P With Paul George” podcast, Sixers forward Paul George shared his thoughts on how Bailey has conducted himself in recent weeks.
“If Iâm Ace Bailey, I canât get mad if my stock drops,” George said. “I canât get mad if my stock drops. Heâs canceled all workouts. He hasnât worked out for any teamâ¦But youâre not in a position to be making those commands. Make it to the league first. Itâs for sure the people around him. I donât know whoâs representing him, but I donât think theyâre going about it the right way.”
Bailey could now slide out of the top-three and potentially closer to the mid lottery, as team’s will likely have reservations following his unwillingness to workout for them.
Bailey Recently Canceled a Workout With The Sixers
On June 18, ESPNâs Jonathan Givony reported the news of Baileyâs decision to cancel his workout with the Sixers. Bailey’s choice came just days before he was set to travel to Philadelphia.
âBailey, the No. 3 prospect on ESPNâs big board, was slated to fly to Philadelphia on Friday for dinner with the teamâs front office and a private workout, but elected to cancel Wednesday, sources told ESPN,â Givony and Shams Charania reported. ââ¦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.â
The top of the 2025 draft class is brimming with high-level talent. Bailey could have hurt his chances of being taken in the top three of his draft class due to the choices he’s made in recent weeks.
Paul George Backs VJ Edgecombe
During the same episode of his podcast, George spoke glowingly about VJ Edgecombe. The Baylor product has emerged as a potential candidate for the Sixers with the third overall pick.
“It’s almost funny, because watching it, he stood out, but I didn’t know the name,” George explained. “I didn’t know that was the player who went to Baylor, and that’s who the kid was. But watching him, and they said how young he was, I was like, he’s competing, playing against top talent and he’s dunking on them, blowing by them. He was making an impact, he was an impactful player.”
Edgecombe could be a strong addition to the Sixers’ rotation. He would form an elite young core with Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. Furthermore, Edgecombe has worked out with the Sixers, which will likely give him an edge over Bailey heading into draft night.
Still, it’s hard to predict what Morey will do when he’s on the clock. Nonetheless, Edgecombe has a strong chance of becoming a Sixer on June 25.
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