The Philadelphia 76ers are inching closer to making a critical decision with the 2025 NBA Draft coming in almost a week. Hence, while the season is technically not yet over, the front office is most probably fully focused on how it will maneuver when their turn to select a prospect comes on June 25.
Between Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe — the two favorites to end up in Philly with the third overall pick — the 76ers understandably still do not have a resolute choice. Most signs point to the team still weighing its options, and that could very well remain the case until the actual day of the draft.
However, Bailey’s camp recently sent a strong statement, and that could just be the what seals his fate with the 76ers in the upcoming draft.
The 76ers just got an easier decision to make as Ace Bailey sends strong statement
Bailey, who has long been projected to ultimately end up in Philly as the third overall pick, has reportedly seen his draft stock wane following his camp’s decision to effectively gatekeep him from the other teams expected to be in the running to select him in the draft.
According to a fresh report from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony in his latest mock draft, Bailey has not even conducted any workout with other teams and had already declined several invitations to that effect. The rumor mill has it that the Rutgers standout views himself as a top-three player in his draft class, and does not anticipate falling beyond No. 4.
This coincides with reports that Edgecombe has now become the favorite to land in Philadelphia as the third overall selection. If this keeps up, the odds of the 76ers going with the Baylor product should dramatically increase in the coming days.
Bailey undoubtedly packs a tremendously high ceiling, but concerns over his game actually translating into the NBA from a maturity standpoint are not just mere contrivances. And him adopting this disposition will certainly not help him in his case to solidify his claim as a top-three talent, only behind the likes of Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper.
For now, the stars are aligning for the Philadelphia 76ers to go with VJ Edgecombe, unless Ace Bailey and his camp make a strong impression with the team in their reported private workout ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. But having said that, time is running out for them to convince teams.