Final NBA mock draft: Where the polarizing Ace Bailey will land

The final countdown

With the NBA season now firmly in our rear-view mirror, attention turns to the NBA Draft. Teams are looking to grab young talent that will shape their rosters for years to come, and opinions about the top prospects are being finalized. It seems like one player whose stock is all over the map is Rutgers’ Ace Bailey.

Bouncing Bailey

Kurt Helin of NBC Sports noted that Bailey cancelled a pre-draft workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, which might be giving them and other teams pause. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Shams Charania wrote that he’s been reticent to work out for any teams in general. This is going to be a story to watch on draft night, but we don’t think he’ll fall too far. The lottery starts with the San Antonio Spurs at 14, who we think will take…

13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento Kings): PF Thomas Sorber, Georgetown

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer and other sources, Clint Capela is expected to depart the Hawks in free agency. That will leave Atlanta a little thin up front, so expect them to address that need in the draft. We think they’ll take a swing at Sorber, who Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor says has a “brick-house frame” as well as a throwback skill-set.

12. Chicago Bulls: PF Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina

Although they haven’t pulled the trigger on a Nikola Vucevic deal, one would have to think Chicago would strongly consider doing so in the next few months. The team will have to think about life without the big man, which is where Murray-Boyles comes in. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo says that certain teams are in love with his defensive potential.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: PF Carter Bryant, Arizona

The Trail Blazers appear to be a team on the rise, as their pieces at guard, small forward and center are coming together nicely. Portland might not want to rock the boat with a ball-needy prospect, so Bryant would seem to be a solid fit here. The soon-to-be former Arizona Wildcat told The Athletic that he studies Portland’s Toumani Camara, and could very well be his teammate in short order.

10. Phoenix Suns(via Houston Rockets): PG Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois

The Suns signaled the end of an era by trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. They could go in a few different directions with this pick, but it might be nice for them to bring in a playmaker with potential like Jakucionis. The Illinois product could relieve pressure off of Devin Booker in that regard.

9. Toronto Raptors: C Khaman Maluach, Duke

The Raptors seem to be the team full of misfit toys, or players that are compensated at a much higher rate than they deserve to be. Be that as it may, they need to bring in someone who could excel at a specific role, and Maluach is that guy. His stock has skyrocketed since March Madness, as his mobility on the defensive end has teams excited.

7. New Orleans Pelicans: G Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma

C.J. McCollum isn’t getting any younger, despite his ability to remain productive. With Dejounte Murray likely out all next season, expect New Orleans to target a guard on draft night. For The Win’s website has pointed out that Fears has had multiple workouts with teams picking before New Orleans, but the Pelicans should hope that he falls down a couple of spots.

6. Washington Wizards: G Tre Johnson, Texas

The Wizards seem to have a keeper in guard Bub Carrington, who they selected in the 2024 NBA Draft. That shouldn’t stop them from doubling down on their backcourt, and Johnson would make a nice addition. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo calls Johnson an excellent perimeter shooter, who would figure to help Washington’s spacing almost immediately.

5. Utah Jazz: SG/SF Kon Knueppel, Duke

Jazz fans were hoping for a higher pick, but will have to make due with whatever they can cobble together at five. Utah is a tough team to figure out, but Knueppel would seem to be a worthy jack of all trades forward to add to the mix. The former Duke Blue Devil does a little bit of everything well.

4. Charlotte Hornets: SF Ace Bailey, Rutgers

This is where we believe Bailey’s slide will end. While his decision to shy away from team workouts is a bit puzzling, NBA teams have shown time and time again that they are willing to gamble on high end talent. Bailey fits that mold, as he might very well turn out to be the best pure scorer in the draft with his skills and athletic ability.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: SG V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor

A lot of publications have Edgecombe slotted in at three to Philadelphia, and it makes a lot of sense. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony calls Edgecombe “hyper-explosive”, which would be a fun pairing with Tyrese Maxey and the recovering Jared McCain. It could signal a shift away from a Joel Embiid-centric era of 76ers basketball.

2. San Antonio Spurs: PG Dylan Harper, Rutgers

Harper seems to have locked up the number two slot, but will he end up playing for the Spurs? San Antonio traded for De’Aaron Fox at the deadline, and Harper’s fit might be questionable with that in mind. It wouldn’t be surprising if a team wanted to trade up to number two to grab Harper as their point guard of the future.