Ace Bailey Reportedly Interests Wizards, Nets, Pelicans amid 2025 NBA Draft Rumors
The Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans are all "interested" in moving up to select Rutgers star Ace Bailey in the 2025 NBA draft, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
A league executive believes Bailey's representatives want him to remain on the East Coast in the NBA and wind up playing "somewhere between Atlanta and New York," per Pompey.
The Wizards, Pelicans and Nets own the No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8 overall choices in the 2025 draft, respectively.
Bailey could hear his name called early on draft night, but he reportedly canceled a visit to meet with the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. They hold the No. 3 pick in the draft.
Per Pompey, the 18-year-old's agent wanted the 76ers to commit to him before his scheduled workout with the organization.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported Bailey hadn't conducted a single known workout at the time and declined invitations from "several teams within his draft range."
The Wizards, Pelicans and Nets could attempt to trade up for Bailey, but Washington might also stand pat and see if he's still on the board after the first five picks of the draft are made.
Bailey showcased his scoring acumen during his lone season at Rutgers, averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from three-point territory.
In the most recent mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, the Wizards were projected to add Bailey with the No. 6 selection.
The first round of the 2025 NBA draft will be on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.
