The Philadelphia 76ers are likely to pass on Ace Bailey with the number three pick in the 2025 NBA Draft because he does not fit the mold of players Daryl Morey likes. Bailey is viewed as the third-best player in this draft. He has superstar potential. If the 6'8 wing realizes it somewhere else, Philly fans will always be left wondering what could have been.
The Sixers got extremely lucky in the draft lottery. They owed their pick to the Thunder with a top-six protection, so it was a coin flip if they even had a selection. Instead, they moved up to third overall and now have the opportunity to add a future star to their roster. The pressure is on Morey to get this right or trade the pick for something that puts them in immediate title contention.
VJ Edgecombe feels like the perfect Morey player. He is a stout defender and standout athlete who plays hard. The 76ers will consider Tre Johnson and Kon Knueppel. All of those players feel like players Morey would prefer over Bailey, but that leaves the franchise in a difficult spot.
Ace Bailey will make the 76ers regret passing on him in 2025 NBA Draft
The draft is an inexact science. Surefire top picks do not always turn into superstars, and breakout players are often surprises. Since 2019, Joel Embiid has been the only MVP who was selected in the top three of the draft.
Morey has his preferences and his track record has produced hits. The Sixers should trust him to make this selection, even after a disastrous season. Whoever Morey takes could quiet the noise by becoming a star, but Philly runs the risk of creating a headache by passing on the player everyone thinks should go third.
Bailey is 6’8 with a seven-foot wingspan. The teenager is an absolute bucket with immense potential. He could be the best player in this class. That is not the most likely outcome, but Bailey has the profile and tools to reach that level.
If the 76ers pass on a superstar for even a quality rotation player, it will be a tough pill to swallow. Suns, Kings, and Hawks fans all still regret passing on Luka Doncic in 2018. Philadelphia could be one of those franchises if Bailey blossoms on Charlotte, Utah, or whatever team trades up to acquire him. There would be immense pain, and fans know Bailey would relish nothing more than dominating the Sixers every time they match up.
Ace Bailey is not a slam dunk selection. He must improve his game significantly to be one of the best players in the NBA, but his size and skill are unquestionable. Morey likes other prospects more. It is a gamble just like extending Joel Embiid and signing Paul George. Sadly, this one could still backfire and cause the Sixers even more pain.
The Philadelphia 76ers got lucky to get the third overall pick. Now, it's all about maximizing the asset. Daryl Morey must nail this selection. His job depends on it. The homework will be done by draft night, but that doesn’t mean the Sixers made the right evaluation. Only time will tell.