The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2025 NBA Draft lottery holding the fifth-best odds of landing the top overall pick. But they didn’t walk away with the No. 1 selection, as the Dallas Mavericks surprisingly stole it. Nevertheless, luck was still on Philly’s side as they secured the No. 3 overall pick. With that position, the Sixers were widely expected to target former Rutgers star Ace Bailey.
However, that plan may now be in flux. According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Ace Bailey has officially canceled his scheduled pre-draft workout with the Sixers. The session was originally set for Friday, but Bailey’s camp informed the team on Wednesday that he would no longer participate. Givony reported that Bailey’s representatives have made their priorities clear to interested franchises.
REPORT — Ace Bailey has canceled his workout with the Sixers, per @DraftExpress. pic.twitter.com/SsQus2akvC
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 19, 2025
“Sources say Bailey’s camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft, but also seeks a clear pathway to stardom, hoping to find a situation with ample minutes and usage to maximize his chances of reaching his full potential,” Givony wrote.
Bailey’s withdrawal from the Sixers’ workout isn’t an isolated case. Reports suggest he has turned down similar invitations from multiple teams within his projected draft range. As of now, he still hasn’t participated in a workout for any NBA team.
Philadelphia Sixers Attempt Trade-Up For Dylan Harper
Another top prospect has caught Philadelphia’s attention. Dylan Harper is also a former Rutgers standout and is widely projected to go No. 2 overall. He is expected to be selected by the San Antonio Spurs. According to Brett Siegel, the 76ers have already offered multiple first-round picks in addition to their No. 3 selection in hopes of moving up just one spot to secure Harper.
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So far, the Spurs haven’t shown any interest in budging. Their hold on the No. 2 pick has left the Sixers at a pivotal crossroads with less than a week to go before the draft.
Despite Ace Bailey backing out of a workout, the Sixers are reportedly not closing the door on him entirely. The 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25 and 26. Philadelphia must now decide whether to hold firm at No. 3 or continue pushing for a trade.
Also Read: Dallas Mavericks Might’ve Just Tipped Their Hand With Intriguing Cooper Flagg Pre-Draft Move
