Top prospect's predraft strategy may lead to slide

Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds for a disappointing Rutgers team that also featured presumptive No. 2 pick Dylan Harper. His ability to score has left NBA teams intrigued, but so far, Bailey hasn't worked out for a single team, including those picking in the top five.

That may be because Bailey has a preferred destination — and it's not the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets or Utah Jazz. ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported that Bailey prefers the teams drafting later in the lottery, such as the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans or Brooklyn Nets. But Bailey hasn't worked out for them either, so it's impossible to know his mindset.

Could Bailey be steering his way to a particular team? It's possible, but it could also be the result of his inexperienced agent. Bailey's represented by Omar Cooper, father of former NBA player Sharife Cooper, who turned pro after his freshman year only to drop to the 48th pick and play only 13 career NBA games. In addition, Cooper reportedly wanted to be paid to do interviews during Bailey's lone college season.

There are rumors that Bailey wants to go to an East Coast team, that he wants a team that will give him ample playing time or that he's trying to avoid bad teams. But it's not clear that he's such a slam-dunk prospect that a team will accede to his wishes, especially if he hasn't worked out for anyone.

Perhaps Bailey ends up on his dream team. But he also might lose quite a bit of cash by dropping in the first round.