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Sixers Prospect Ace Bailey Shoots Down Big Pre-Draft Narrative

Was Ace Bailey tanking his value to avoid the Sixers and others?
Justin Grasso|
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Ace Bailey arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Ace Bailey arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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Philadelphia 76ers

It sure seems like Ace Bailey has a preferred landing spot heading into the 2025 NBA Draft.

Back around the NBA Draft Lottery, there was a moment where it felt like Bailey was bound to join the Philadelphia 76ers after they moved up two spots from having the fifth-highest odds heading into the night.

Over time, the narrative shifted. For a while, it seemed like the Sixers didn’t have much interest in Bailey. Lately, it’s been feeling like the opposite.

In the week leading up to the NBA Draft, the Sixers were expected to host Bailey for a pre-draft visit and workout. At first, Bailey confirmed he would be in attendance. Not long before his arrival, the incoming rookie canceled, which led to a ton of criticism about his pre-draft strategy.

It’s been suggested that Bailey is trying to get to a team that’s picking deeper than Philadelphia. Leading up to the big event on Wednesday, former Sixers veteran Danny Green cut straight to the chase and asked about the narrative. Bailey rejected that idea.

via @BrettSiegelNBA: Danny Green just asked Ace Bailey if he has a preferred destination: "No sir, I don't."

The rumor mill suggests that Bailey has his sights set on the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Brooklyn Nets. Bailey would have to at least fall to six for any of those scenarios, barring a possible trade-up.

The Dallas Mavericks are guaranteed to go with Cooper Flagg at No. 1. While the San Antonio Spurs were viewed as potential trade-out candidates, they are ready to pick Dylan Harper. The Sixers, Charlotte Hornets, and Utah Jazz are all in play for Bailey.

Philly isn’t all the way out on Bailey, but the consensus pick for the Sixers is Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe. At this point, if the Sixers select Bailey, it would come as a shock, considering everything that has transpired lately.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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