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The NBA Draft is just a week away, and while the first and second picks are nearly guaranteed, the third pick remains completely up in the air. Ace Bailey has been projected as a top-three pick since he burst onto the college basketball scene, but he has faced significant backlash since the season ended.
“The nonsense about the RutgersMBB freshman not being a team player or one dimensional earlier in the season is laughable,” Fran Fraschilla posted.
Bailey has been accused of being a bad teammate and a selfish player. However, throughout the season, the freshman often proved to be a dominant force alongside his partner in crime, Dylan Harper. Despite dealing with injuries, Bailey set records as a freshman and consistently stood out as one of the best players on the court.
Still, his draft process has raised some concerns. Bailey has not participated in any team workouts, a decision driven entirely by his management.
“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. 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,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported.
College basketball analyst Jeff Goodman warned that drafting Bailey could come with major consequences for the 76ers’ front office.
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“Ace Bailey is that guy who could get Daryl Morey fired — or make him look like a genius. High, high ceiling — but could also be a bust,” Goodman said.
Bailey will be one of the most intriguing talents to watch next season. But if he fails to meet expectations, it could set Philadelphia back another year and push Daryl Morey further onto the hot seat.
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