NBA – Top prospect gets exposed 10 days before the draft: «Out of the league in 5 years»

Par Joël Pütz | Journaliste sportif

With the draft coming up in a few days, it’s crucial not to be the subject of negative rumors. But one player predicted to be on the podium hasn’t learned his lesson, as his attitude is causing problems with franchises and the media…

There could be quite a few surprises on draft night. Beyond the first two picks, which are expected to see Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper selected by Dallas and San Antonio respectively, anything is possible from third place onward. With the event taking place in ten days, rumors are rife.

For young players who are candidates for the draft, it’s all about maintaining an impeccable image with NBA franchises, whether during interviews or during workouts. But Ace Bailey clearly didn’t get the message… Long touted as a Top 3 prospect, he saw ESPN drop him to sixth place in its latest estimates. Expert Jonathan Givony didn’t mince his words:

Ace Bailey close to draft fiasco?

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.

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. Bailey is scheduled to conduct a workout with the 76ers later this week, but it’s unclear if he plans to visit any other teams at this stage.

Bailey has been worrying NBA observers for a while now, with the former Rutgers player boasting about his “bad shooting”. However, a rookie doesn’t really have the right to make a mistake, and forcing his way up the hierarchy would be a colossal one, depending on the franchise he lands with. It’s understandable why scouts are so cautious… as for fans, they believe such an attitude doesn’t bode well for the player.

@EuroEgoy: would be out of the league in 5 years, same work ethic as johnny flynn

@jason23lake: Jokic made half a billion at the 41st and this kid worried about not being 1-3

@traderhuey: He doesn’t want to work out for teams because knows he sucks