Ace Bailey not doing himself any favors heading into NBA Draft

Ace Bailey has long been projected as a potential top-3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Rutgers product has the potential to become an elite forward at the top level. However, he is still an incredibly raw prospect, which has understandably generated some hesitancy among front offices.

The beauty of the draft is that you're selling teams on a dream. That's why picks are highly valuable until the moment they become a player. It's easier to sell someone on the idea of a star than the work it takes to turn someone into a star. There are far too many variables in the player development game.

However, it would appear Bailey is doing a poor job in acting as a salesman. According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Shams Charania, Bailey has cancelled his scheduled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers. 

"Former Rutgers star Ace Bailey has canceled a visit to the Philadelphia 76ers, sources told ESPN," Givony and Charania reported. "Bailey, the No. 3 prospect on ESPN's big board, was slated to fly to Philadelphia on Friday for dinner with the team's front office and a private workout, but elected to cancel Wednesday, sources told ESPN."

Bailey is playing a dangerous game. By choosing to avoid working out for interested teams, he's leaving himself as an enigma. Other players now have an opportunity to jump ahead of him on the draft board. It's hard to talk yourself into picking a player who is actively avoiding the opportunity to be evaluated by NBA coaching staffs.

The Sixers could still choose to draft Bailey due to his projected upside. However, his slight frame will generate some concerns. To make matters worse, his reluctance to work out for teams could create concern over his approach and maturity. 

Bailey is hindering his own chances of success. The further he falls down the draft lottery, the lower his rookie scale contract will be. And while he may be prioritizing a team that can give him a big role, he must understand that there's value in landing on a team like Philadelphia. Learning from Paul George would be a luxury few rookies can enjoy.

Daryl Morey has some tough decisions to make this summer. It would appear Bailey has made on of those choices far easier as we approach draft night.