Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) runs a play Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in a first round game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Hawkeyes defeated the Buckeyes, 77-70. Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NBA Draft: Brooklyn Nets Could Land Rutgers' Star Guard

Originally posted on Brooklyn Nets on SI | By Alec Elijah | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 11:15 AM ET

Ace Bailey has seen his name become a hot topic in draft media as new reports indicate the Rutgers guard could wind up falling in the NBA Draft, despite being deemed a potential top-three pick.

Bailey and his representation have taken an unconventional route during this draft process, as the 18-year-old has declined multiple invitations for pre-draft workouts despite the teams being all lottery pick options.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

He had a solid freshman season at Rutgers, averaging 17.6 points on 46.0 percent shooting and 7.2 rebounds per game in 30 starts.

According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, Bailey's camp has told interested teams that "they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft."

Ace Bailey’s draft stock has been falling due to his unwillingness to visit several teams and the fact that he has yet to conduct a single workout, per @DraftExpress

Bailey believes he’s a top-three player in the draft and wants to be selected by a team that will provide a… pic.twitter.com/qyhuteKr14
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025

“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,” said Givony. "Some teams question whether Bailey has received assurances of being selected by a team currently outside the top five, to a situation deemed more advantageous from a geographic and playing time perspective."

This could open up the door for the Brooklyn Nets to potentially take a stab at the 6-foot-10 guard, despite their earliest selection being No. 8.

Brooklyn has been rumored to be a team that is prepared to make a draft day splash, and while the top three teams (Mavericks, Spurs, and 76ers) have been adamant about trading away their picks, the new reports of Bailey falling could entice the Nets to call up the Washinton Wizards or Charlotte Hornets to potentially make a trade up a few selections.

This article first appeared on Brooklyn Nets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: