Ace Bailey talks to media at the 2025 NBA basketball draft combine in Chicago, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP
The “Pardon the Interruption” guys had a few thoughts on ex-Rutgers star Ace Bailey’s latest decision surrounding NBA Draft workouts.
“Delusional,” said ESPN’s Frank Isola.
“Stupid,” added his colleague Michael Wilbon.
Seemingly referring to Bailey’s agent Omar Cooper, Wilbon added: “Somebody needs to turn it down in that camp right now.”
Their comments came Thursday in the wake of the decision by Bailey and his camp to skip this weekend’s meeting and private workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, which was confirmed to NJ Advance media by a league source.
The Sixers had bought plane tickets and set up the trip before Bailey’s camp cancelled it Wednesday night.
“His camp sees him as a top-3 player,” Isola said. “Well, the Sixers have the third pick, so why wouldn’t you want to meet with them?”
“And then you’re hearing he sees a clear path to stardom and if he goes to a team like the Wizards, he sees an easier path. Mike,....what is a easy about being a star in the NBA? You’re being somewhat delusional.”
Isola added that if Bailey were to land with the Sixers, they are “well-coached by Nick Nurse” and “you might be playing in important games right from the start so I think his approach to this, it’s not the right way to do it.”
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony recently dropped Bailey from No. 3 on his mock draft to No. 6 due to his "perplexing" strategy of not scheduling any workouts with NBA teams thus far.
Givony expanded on his thought process during an appearance this week on the Dunc’d On podcast.
“He scares people because they don’t want to draft him, and also because they’re worried if they don’t draft him, he’s going to become a star and make them look very stupid,” he said.
Of Bailey’s decision to skip the Sixers workout, Wilbon stated flatly: “I’m going to call this what it is, it’s stupid. Him and his advisors. I saw what was being leaked about stardom. What that is, is just egomania. I hope it’s the people above him who are stupidly advising him...and not him.
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“And I hope he can separate himself from such stupid advice, that he’s going to come in and he’s more worried about his own stardom than becoming a good and then a great player and contributing to a team.
“Philadelphia is a team that he could help to turn things around, he could be part of something....In the pros I don’t want that kid anywhere near me until he can change his attitude or he can look with some maturity at the dopes advising him, saying I don’t need to be a part of that....As stated as is, it’s stupid and counterproductive and if that person tried to advise me on anything, I would say ‘Get the hell out now.’
He added: “Somebody needs to turn it down in that camp right now.”
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter and Basketball Insider for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com.