Rutgers star Ace Bailey suddenly cancels meeting with 76ers as NBA Draft theories swirl
Rutgers star Ace Bailey is putting the league on notice with a power play as we near the NBA Draft.
The former Rutgers forward suddenly canceled his scheduled Friday workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, who are slated to pick No. 3 overall, according to ESPN's Draft Express.
Bailey is now the only U.S.-based prospect to not meet with a single team, having declined invitations from multiple franchises in his projected draft range.
He's expected to be a lottery pick and possibly a top-three selection.
Draft Express reports that the Sixers have not ruled out picking Bailey at No. 3, which is his projected draft slot according to most experts, despite this surprising development.
4 Ace Bailey could be playing 4D chess.
NBAE via Getty Images
The Wizards (No. 6), Pelicans (No. 7), and Net (No. 8) are all expected to be aggressive in moving up for Bailey come Wednesday's draft.
Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz also select No. 5 overall and could be in the mix.
The Hornets pick fourth, but prospects have reportedly refused to work out for the team due to a lack of interest in playing with Lamelo Ball.
A previous report added that Bailey's camp informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-three player, but they also 'seek a clear pathway to stardom.'
The Draft Express report added that Bailey could feel comfortable going to a different team later in the draft or through a trade.
Philadelphia previously worked out Baylor freshman star VJ Edgecombe, the presumed No. 4 prospect in the NBA Draft.
4 76ers top basketball executive Daryl Morey (r) at the NBA Draft Lottery.
NBAE via Getty Images
Some have put on their tinfoil hats to develop theories involving this bizarre set of decision-making by Bailey and his team, and one circulating idea is that the former Scarlet Knight has already received a promise to be drafted by a team he is comfortable playing for in the future.
ABC's Jason Dumas reported that Bailey was seeking a promise from the Sixers prior to the meeting.
4 Ace Bailey canceled his meeting wth the 76ers.
Getty Images
4 Ron Harper is projected to go No. 2 to the Spurs.
Getty Images
Bailey's teammate, Ron Harper, is the consensus No. 2 projected pick, while Duke Cooper Flagg is locked in as the No. 1 overall pick.
Bailey attended NBA Draft Combine and had a strong season for Rutgers, tallying 17.6 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 46 percent shooting (34.6 from 3-point range).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Realistic Trade Idea: Jazz Land Celtics Star And Send Ace Bailey To Boston
Realistic Trade Idea: Jazz Land Celtics Star And Send Ace Bailey To Boston originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The NBA world is still buzzing after Rutgers star Ace Bailey slipped to fifth in the 2025 draft amid a pre-draft showdown, his camp reportedly warned top-five teams (including Utah) he'd refuse to play, and he skirted workouts entirely. Still, the Jazz defied expectations and selected him, and it hasn't worked out well so far, with Bailey having minimal contact with the franchise. Advertisement Though Jazz officials and his agency now say he's set to report this weekend, the shakeup may not end there. The Celtics, intent on clearing cap space and rebooting the roster following the departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, could be toying with a bold deal. Imagine this: they send Jaylen Brown to Utah, acquiring not only hot-shot rookie Ace Bailey but also proven starter John Collins and two future picks (a 2027 first via L.A. Lakers and a 2029 second via Utah). Let's dive into how this blockbuster trade idea works out for all parties. Proposed Trade Details Utah Jazz Receive: Jaylen Brown Boston Celtics Receive: Ace Bailey, John Collins, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 Second-Round Pick (UTA) Jazz Find Their New Franchise Cornerstone In Jaylen Brown Utah would instantly transform its offense by adding a proven wing in Jaylen Brown. In his career matchups against the Jazz, Brown averages 16.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, a mark of his consistency even against stiff defenses. Advertisement Beyond box score stats, Brown's ability to stretch the floor (.324 3P% in 2024-25 with 22.2 PPG and 4.5 APG) adds a needed scoring punch and secondary playmaking on a Jazz roster that lacks star power. What makes Brown particularly intriguing for Utah is his playoff seasoning and leadership. In the 2025 postseason, he averaged 22.1 pts, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists playing through some difficult circumstances, including Jayson Tatum's injury. His experience as Finals MVP in 2024, where he put up 20.8 ppg and 5.4 rebounds, makes him a proven closer on big stages. That poised mentality could be exactly what a young Jazz team needs to accelerate a rebuild. Finally, Brown's 4.5 assists per game in 2024-25, a career-best, underscores his evolution into a secondary playmaker capable of improving Utah's offense. With Utah projected to enter a volatile Western Conference, Brown's reliability and two-way capabilities give the Jazz a cornerstone suiting both now and future playoff aspirations. Celtics Move Jaylen for Cheaper Assets Who Are Young With Potential Boston would be prioritizing flexibility and upside by trading Brown for Ace Bailey, John Collins, and future assets. Bailey, a 6'7" Rutgers wing, carries enormous scoring upside, drawing comparisons to Michael Porter Jr. with his smooth jumper and shot creation. Advertisement Though polarizing, due to concerns over shot selection, he was graded a B+ in Utah's draft recap and is seen as a high-upside pick similar to early collegiate Brown and Tatum. John Collins complements Bailey with immediate on-court production: Collins averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and an efficient 39.9% from three on 52.7% shooting in 2024-25. His one-year, $26.6M player-option contract provides the Celtics with both current floor spacing and optionality next season, a rare blend of value and flexibility. Finally, the inclusion of draft assets, a 2027 first from the Lakers and a 2029 second from Utah, gives Boston additional future capital. It aligns with their recent pattern of trading Jrue and Porzingis to free up cap space and regain maneuverability. For a reigning contender eyeing both present and future planning, this deal offers young potential, contract control, and future assets in one clean package. A Massive Blockbuster Deal That Could Work Out This trade is structured to benefit both franchises architecturally. For Utah, swapping Bailey for Brown and Collins infuses the roster with veteran leadership and star power. Coupled with supportive shading from Sexton, Clarkson, and young wings, the Jazz can remain competitive while integrating their draft picks. Advertisement It's also notable that Utah is open to trading Collins post-draft, which aligns well, timing-wise, with the Celtics' proposed offer. For Boston, the cap room cleared by Brown's departure enables the pursuit of top-tier free agents or midseason upgrades. They swap one reliable All-Star (Brown's 22.2 ppg, 4.5 apg, .463 FG%) for dynamic youth and draft equity, aligning with a sustainable core. They'd still feature Tatum, Bailey's upside, Collins as complementary frontcourt, and retained flexibility for midseason moves. In summary, this trade is the kind of polished blockbuster that ESPN craves: proven All-Star meets high-upside rookie, tenured role player, and future picks. It maintains Boston's title contention and gives Utah a timetable toward playoff goals. Related: Ace Bailey Will Not Arrive In Utah Until Three Days After Being Drafted, Has Had 'Minimal' Contact With The Jazz This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
Bulls trading oft-injured Lonzo Ball to Cavaliers as former top pick gets shot with contender
The Cavaliers are taking a chance on Lonzo Ball — and the 27-year-old guard, whose career has been derailed by injuries, gets a fresh start. They sent guard Isaac Okoro to the Bulls in exchange for Ball, who appeared in 35 games last season after missing the previous two years due to injuries. Ball, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, started his career with the Lakers before stints with the Pelicans and Chicago, and during that time, he dealt with multiple injuries. Advertisement 3 Lonzo Ball attempts a shot during the Bulls' Feb. 20 game against the Knicks. Getty Images 3 Lonzo Ball defends during the Bulls' Feb. 28 game. NBAE via Getty Images Okoro, a 24-year-old and former first round pick, started 22 games and appeared in 55 during the regular season last year, averaging 6.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Advertisement 3 Isaac Okoro attempts a shot during the Cavaliers' April 26 game. NBAE via Getty Images The Cavaliers earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to the Pacers in the second round, and with Celtics star Jayson Tatum and Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton both likely missing all of next season with torn Achilles, Cleveland will remain a contender to reach the NBA Finals. And they're taking a risk on Ball as a piece to help them reach that point.
Boston Globe
6 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Jazz lead the big winners in NBA Draft and the Trail Blazers were the biggest losers
Here are a list of winners and losers with grades and comments. Advertisement WINNERS Utah Jazz Ace Bailey tried playing a game of chicken with Danny Ainge and lost, as the Jazz president, along with his general manager, son Austin , took the mercurial Rutgers guard fifth overall despite having a slew of impactful choices with that pick. There have been players who refused to play for the teams that drafted them, such as Steve Francis nearly 30 years ago, but that won't be the case with Bailey. The Jazz got themselves the second-best prospect at No. 5, then took, guard Walter Clayton Jr. with the 18th pick. The Jazz have been in tank mode long enough. They needed to make a splash and selected two players who could make significant impacts. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up GRADE: A Washington Wizards The Wizards are being real about their rebuild. They're not going to make the playoffs next season so they stacked prospects as they prepare to make a free-agent splash in 2026. Tre Johnson , selected sixth, could pair with Bub Carrington for a dynamic frontcourt in coming years. Johnson needs work on defense but he shot nearly 40 percent on 3-pointers as a freshman at Texas and could turn into a prolific scorer. Will Riley , taken 21st, will battle it out with the other young swingmen for playing time, but like the Thunder, the Wizards are packing their roster with prospects and banking that the best will become stars. Jamir Watkins , a Florida State product taken 43rd overall, should contend for a roster spot. Advertisement GRADE: A- Charlotte Hornets It's been a difficult several years and it got worse when they slipped to fourth overall in the lottery despite having one of the league's worst records. But general manager Jeff Peterson made the best of the situation by taking four solid players who can add to a new culture. Fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel had a solid freshman season at Duke, shooting 40 percent from the 3-point line and should compete for small-forward minutes. Liam McNeeley probably should have stayed at UConn for another season as he slipped to 29, and the Hornets jumped into the first round to take him. Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner could have been worthy of the first round, but the Hornets took them with consecutive picks (33 and 34) to add depth. GRADE: A- Orlando Magic The Magic have drafted a litany of lottery picks over the years to uneven success but they moved one of their first-rounders to Memphis in the Desmond Bane deal, then selected at No. 25 to take Jase Richardson , a freshman who was arguably Michigan State's t best player at season's end. Orlando is desperate for offense and Richardson could serve as a solid backup to Bane. Orlando then traded with the Celtics to take Noah Penda , a 20-year-old French prospect who could become a rotation player. Advertisement GRADE: B San Antonio Spurs They took advantage of their lottery luck, selecting Dylan Harper second overall, then capitalized on the first-rounder they received from the Hawks in the Dejounte Murray deal to take Arizona freshman Carter Bryant at No. 14. The Spurs are finished rebuilding. Adding an immediate impact rookie such as Harper and a workhorse such as Bryant into their culture will help their ascension. GRADE: B LOSERS Portland Trail Blazers Drafting Chinese center prospect Y ang Hansen probably was the most bizarre first-round pick in several years. Very rarely do 16th overall picks sit in the stands during the draft but he was there as a fan, clad in a white suit. As much help as the Blazers need, taking a chance on an unproven prospect, especially at a position where they are deep, is curious at best. The Blazers came away with nothing else on draft night, meaning Hansen better be worth the investment. Brooklyn Nets The general assumption around the NBA was the Nets would trade at least one of their five first-round picks. Most teams don't need five rookies because that's a lot of roster space for players who may not be ready for the NBA rigors. But the Nets ignored conventional theory and have all five, at least for now. They could have potentially moved a pick or two for a veteran or even a future first-rounder. All five may eventually turn into starters and rotation players but the learning curve could outlast general manager Sean Marks , who has done a less than impressive job in Brooklyn. Advertisement How the West was won Thunder seem to have blueprint The Thunder look poised for long-term success. Nate Billings/Associated Press The Thunder not only won the NBA championship but they have set the blueprint for organizational success. How do veteran teams such as the Warriors manage against the younger teams? Golden State has a small window with Stephen Curry , Draymond Green , and Jimmy Butler in their mid-30s and the club still needing to decide what to do with gifted but underachieving forward Jonathan Kuminga . 'They'll be the team that we've got to knock off for sure,' general manager Mike Dunleavy said. 'The good news is, though, there's been an incredible amount of parity the last six, seven years. Multiple different champions, multiple different finalists. 'I don't want to say it's wide open. But I don't think it's to the point where it was in 2016, '17 with this organization where it was really, really hard to oust a team.' The Thunder took three years to rebuild their roster, starting with the trade of Paul George to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander . They then added draft picks such as Jalen Williams , Chet Holmgren , and Aaron Wiggins along with the acquisitions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein . They built from scratch and now have an opportunity for the first dynasty since the Warriors. Advertisement 'Oklahoma City is really good,' Dunleavy said. 'They play their cards right, they're going to be really good for a long time. Health is a part of that and certain other things. But no doubt, the regular season they had this year was incredible, and obviously making the playoff run to win the championship this year, they're going to be the team to beat.' NBA general managers have duly noticed why and how Oklahoma City and Indiana reached the Finals. Gone are the days of high-scoring teams splashing threes and winning shootouts without defensive emphasis. Games are getting uglier and more athletic. 'I think it just is bared out that defense is still really important, and then the offensive end, to be able to have space on the floor to combat these defenses,' Dunleavy said. 'Certainly Indiana had that with some of the floor-spacing bigs they had. Then I think obviously you go back to further rounds with the Knicks, Minnesota … but honestly to go deep in the playoffs you've got to have a little bit of everything. Man, you've got to put together a really good team, and that's what Oklahoma City has done. Sam [ Presti ] did a great job. 'And credit to Indiana, as well. Those guys had a heck of a year. Kevin Pritchard did an amazing job; Rick Carlisle , what a coach. Just need really good players.' Of course, the winning philosophy for the Warriors differs from younger teams. They have to win now. They have to maximize this small window without many of the resources as younger and less expensive teams because so much is invested in their Big Three. Advertisement 'In our case we've got three players in their 30s that are really good, and that's the hand we're playing,' Dunleavy said. As time goes on, maybe that changes, but multiple different ways to build a team, and I think the way we're going about doing ours is what's right for us.' But there's a dilemma. In 2010, the aging Celtics eased up during the regular season, won 50 games, 12 fewer than the previous season, but regrouped for an NBA Finals run as the fourth seed in the East. The Warriors don't want to take that same path. They don't want to go through the playoff gauntlet as a lower seed — such as this season when they beat Houston as the seventh seed, then lost to Minnesota. They want to flourish during the regular season to make their playoff run easier. But is that possible with an older team? 'This isn't a team that we can just say, hey, let's get through the regular season and have a roster ready to go for the postseason,' Dunleavy said. 'The West is really tough. The league is really tough. I mentioned the parity before. So in that regard — we won 48 games this year and we were in the play-in, so we've got to be able to have a really good team that can sustain their regular season through some nights of rest, through some injuries, all that may come about. 'We look at trades in free agency, we're going to look at guys, how healthy they are, how many games they play. That stuff is important. We'll factor it all in, and hopefully we can also put together a roster that we feel once the regular season turns over to the postseason, that team can be really good, too.' New face in New Orleans Dumars trying to revamp Pelicans Joe Dumars and the Pelicans had a busy draft night. Matthew Hinton/Associated Press The Pelicans fared well on draft night as new general manager Joe Dumars tries to revamp the roster and acquire youth. He traded CJ McCollum , in the final year of his contract, to the Wizards for erratic but talented Jordan Poole . Dumars then took a pair of one-and-dones in Maryland forward Derik Queen and Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears . Fears is considered a potential star with seasoning and fills a void at point guard the Pelicans have missed since the departure of Jrue Holiday . They took a chance on Kira Lewis in 2020 and he never started a game, and Dejounte Murray could miss most of next season recovering from an Achilles' tear. 'I feel like they'll be a great fit,' Fears said of the Pelicans. 'They have some amazing pieces. Obviously just got Jordan Poole, as well, so that will be a great addition. They have Zion [ Williamson ]. He's a lob threat, somebody that you can get the ball to, somebody that is going to impact the game, all aspects of the game. I bring a lot to the game, as well. It's going to be super dope. Looking to build that connection with those guys and add a lot of wins to the win column this year.' Fears is one of the younger draftees, turning 19 in October. He flourished in his lone season at Oklahoma, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. He showed playmaking ability and an effectiveness around the rim. 'Really just going out there, doing my thing, treat [the NBA] with the same mind-set,' he said. 'Approach everything the same way, to kill and to make the right reads. Personally, I don't believe in pressure because I trust my work and know what I'm capable of.' Meanwhile, the most controversial pick was Rutgers swingman Ace Bailey , who did not work out for any interested teams and declared through his representatives that he wanted to play on the East Coast. That didn't deter Danny and Austin Ainge , who selected him fifth overall for the Jazz. Last we checked, Utah is far from the East Coast. Bailey appeared giddy at his draft selection, perhaps expecting that teams wouldn't bow to his demands. 'Just a blessing,' he said. 'The little kid in me is smiling hard right now, because I know the hard work, the sacrifice, the blood, the sweat, the tears not just for me but my family put into this.' Bailey was asked his knowledge of Salt Lake City. The answer? Not much. 'I don't know a lot, but I'm learning,' he said. ' I know it gets cold and hot up there. I'm used to the cold because I've been in Jersey. I'm used to the heat because I'm from the South. I can get along with it.' If it works out well, Bailey could become a cornerstone for the Jazz. Layups When Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said freshly minted first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez played with several former NBA players, he wasn't kidding. Real Madrid is loaded with former first-rounders and ex-NBAers, including Mario Hezonja , former Thunder draft pick Gabriel Deck , former Rockets first-round pick Usman Garuba , former Celtic Bruno Fernando , ex-Hawk Edy Tavares , former Net Dzanan Musa , longtime NBA center Serge Ibaka , former Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo , and former Rockets and longtime Spanish standout Sergio Llull . Gonzalez did not play in the closeout game against Valencia Basket Club to win the Spanish League title and he averaged 1.9 points in playing 30 of Real Madrid's first 40 games before the Spanish League playoffs … With the sale of the Lakers to Mark Walter and Dodgers ownership, there is a spotlight on the organization to capitalize on the shrinking window with LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the five-year anniversary of the team's last championship. Los Angeles did not have a first-round pick in 2025 because of the Anthony Davis acquisition six years ago. LA did jump up 10 spots in the draft to take Chicago's second-round pick at No. 45. The Lakers' offseason priority is a pick-and-roll center for Doncic but the free-agent market is dry on centers with aging Brook Lopez or the limited Clint Capela the best options … The Rockets wanted Fred VanVleet back but not at $43 million per season so they rejected his team option but brought back the savvy guard on a two-year, $50 million deal, giving them a reliable scorer to join Kevin Duran . VanVleet also provides leadership for a younger team … The Celtics have until Sunday to pick up the option on JD Davison's contract for 2025-26. Even if the Celtics do keep Davison, his $2.2 million would not become guaranteed until Jan. 10, 2026. Boston could pick up the option and add Davison to a potential trade to fill salary. The Celtics also have until Sunday to make a qualifying offer to two-way swingman Drew Peterson , who should get minutes with the team's retooling this season. The Celtics also have an open two-way contract, a spot they could fill after summer league or even sooner with an undrafted player. Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at
