The 2025 NBA Draft is just hours away, and Ace Bailey, once considered a lock for the top three, has found himself at the center of an escalating drama that’s baffling front offices and sparking outrage from former players.
The 18-year-old phenom has reportedly drawn a hard line: he does not want to play for the Charlotte Hornets or the Utah Jazz, who have the 4th and the 5th pick, respectively.
NBA insider Evan Sidery reported that Bailey’s camp “has also let it be known they do not want to be drafted by the Hornets or Jazz. Bailey is trying to force his way to a preferred destination outside the top-five.”
That kind of pre-draft maneuvering is rare, especially for a teenager yet to log a single NBA minute.
Bailey’s draft saga took a sharp turn when he cancelled a scheduled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, the team initially expected to take him at No. 3.
According to reports, Bailey’s camp, led by his agent Omar Cooper, demanded a guarantee that the Sixers would draft him. When Philly refused, the workout was abruptly scrapped. The Sixers have since shifted their focus to Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe, leaving Bailey’s camp in scramble mode.
The deeper issue may be geography. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey,
“Multiple league sources said Bailey’s agent, Omar Cooper, wanted the Sixers to commit to him before his scheduled Friday workout.”
“One league executive believes that Bailey, once a consensus top-three pick, probably will drop in the draft because of his agency’s tactics. Another league executive believes that the agency wants Bailey to remain on the East Coast and play somewhere between Atlanta and New York.”
In fact, Bailey is now the only American-based prospect in the draft class who hasn’t visited any teams for a workout. That strategy has rubbed league insiders the wrong way, and it’s affecting his draft stock.
Veteran reporter Jeff Goodman revealed that Omar Cooper, notably the father of Sharife Cooper, has reportedly asked to be paid for doing on-camera interviews.
“It just seems as though Ace Bailey has received some poor advice over the past year. He’s rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.”
Former All-Star Paul George didn’t mince words on his podcast either.
PG sounds off on Ace Bailey skipping NBA Draft workouts 😳
"If I'm Ace Bailey, I can't get mad if my stock drops." pic.twitter.com/cgErJWCAgh
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) June 24, 2025
The consequences could be costly. Dropping out of the top five could cost Bailey between $10 and $15 million in guaranteed money. As of now, he’s projected to go sixth to the Washington Wizards, a team still rebuilding, but packed with veterans like CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, and Marcus Smart.
Still, don’t be surprised if Bailey drops even further. Or, depending on how you look at it, maybe he lands exactly where he wants to. The New Orleans Pelicans, picking seventh, are reportedly exploring every option to move up and grab him. The Brooklyn Nets (No. 8) and Toronto Raptors (No. 9) also loom as potential destinations.
Whether Bailey’s gamble ends in regret or genius will become clear soon. But one thing’s certain: no player has stirred more pre-draft chaos than Ace Bailey.
