Offseason question #13: Acehole

babyjax13 · Post #1 » by **babyjax13** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:28 pm

If you haven't caught it, Ace Bailey has not worked out with a single team and has canceled his workout with Philadelphia. In addition to some concerning quotes, it is now possible that Bailey will slide on draft day and the most likely scenario seems to be Edgecomb at 3 and one of Johnson/Kneuppel at 4. Since we have expressed a preference for Johnson, let's assume he is off the board. If the draft goes like this, who would you draft? Assume that we will make the pick OR trade down.

1. DAL: Cooper Flagg
2. SAS: Dylan Harper
3. PHI: VJ Edgecomb
4. CHA: Tre Johnson
5. UTA: ???

Bailey's predraft choices — not working out for any team, seemingly not having any agency in his predraft process being run by his agent, Omar Cooper, and some rather bold/outlandish quotes — have made several teams at the top of the draft hesitate, league sources told NBC Sports. Enough that he is seen by many as sliding down draft boards.

babyjax13 · Post #2 » by **babyjax13** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:38 pm

I am torn between taking Ace anyway, and taking Jeremiah Fears. I think they both have the upside to be a top-2 scoring option on a contender, maybe because Fears doesn't have all these issues and there is no intel about him not wanting to be in Utah he is a better bet, but Ace has so many tools you want in a star player (along with some major red flags).

Post #3 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:45 pm

I'm going with Bailey. He's got the physical tools to still be a serviceable player even if he doesn't pan out and he's playing a position that every team needs. Medium risk, high reward.

Catchall · Post #4 » by **Catchall** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:30 am

Jazz should take Bailey here.

WinterSoldier · Post #5 » by **WinterSoldier** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:33 pm

babyjax13 wrote:I am torn between taking Ace anyway, and taking Jeremiah Fears. I think they both have the upside to be a top-2 scoring option on a contender, maybe because Fears doesn't have all these issues and there is no intel about him not wanting to be in Utah he is a better bet, but Ace has so many tools you want in a star player (along with some major red flags).

I would love to trade for Fears, maybe Lauri to the Pelicans for the #7 and other assets.

bkohler · Post #6 » by **bkohler** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 2:01 am

I went with Kon. I think he has just as much chance to pop as anyone else remaining and a higher floor.