For the primary time for the reason that Sixers claimed the No. 3 general choose in final month’s draft lottery, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo are projecting Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe, quite than Rutgers ahead Ace Bailey, to be the choose in that spot.
As Givony explains inside ESPN’s newest mock draft, Edgecombe made a robust optimistic impression throughout his go to to Philadelphia, whereas Bailey initially didn’t make plans to satisfy with the Sixers in any respect. Bailey has since modified course and can work out for the 76ers later this week, but it surely feels like he could not been passionate about his “pathway to growth” in Philadelphia.
In response to Givony, Bailey hasn’t but carried out a recognized exercise and has declined invites from a number of groups in his draft vary. Sources inform ESPN that his camp believes he’s a top-three participant within the draft class however that they need him to finish up in a scenario the place there’s a path to stardom. With that in thoughts, some groups have questioned if Bailey has obtained a promise from a staff outdoors the highest 5 that he views as extra favorable by way of each enjoying time and geography.
Givony and Woo have Bailey slipping to Washington at No. 6 of their newest mock, with Givony writing that the Wizards and the Pelicans (at No. 7) are each believed to be “extremely intrigued” by the 18-year-old’s upside and will most likely supply him extra minutes instantly than a staff like Philadelphia might.
Right here’s extra from ESPN on the 2025 NBA draft:
- Rival groups who’ve been in contact with the Spurs have come away believing that San Antonio will hold onto the No. 2 general choose and choose Dylan Harper, in accordance with Givony, who says the Spurs are enthusiastic about including a expertise like Harper and seem keen to handle potential match points down the street.
- Though the No. 8 choose is seen as Kon Knueppel‘s doubtless flooring, he might find yourself coming off the board a number of picks forward of that. The Hornets (No. 4) and Jazz (No. 5) each seem to have curiosity within the Duke sharpshooter, Givony studies.
- Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears appears to be like like a comparatively protected wager to be drafted between No. 5 and No. 8, writes Woo. The Jazz are seen as the highest finish of Fears’ vary, whereas the Pelicans (No. 7) and Nets (No. 8) are regarded as . Grant Afseth of RG.org mentioned one thing comparable on Monday whereas additionally figuring out the Wizards at No. 6 as a chance for Fears.
- Rival groups imagine the Hawks will doubtless be focusing on an enormous man and a guard with their first-round picks in the event that they hold onto each of them, says Woo. Even when the Hawks do take that route, the order wherein they handle these two spots will hinge largely on who’s obtainable after the primary 12 picks. ESPN’s mock has Atlanta taking Egor Demin at No. 13 and Danny Wolf at No. 22.
- Collin Murray-Boyles is taken into account a polarizing prospect, with some evaluators viewing the South Carolina standout as a possible “excellent” position participant whereas others are involved about his capturing and his positional dimension, in accordance with Woo. Murray-Boyles’ vary could begin across the No. 10 choose.
- Arizona’s Carter Bryant has had an excellent pre-draft course of and appears like a robust candidate to come back off the board within the 9-15 vary, per Givony.
