The Washington Wizards front office has, no doubt, been combing over every possible draft target after landing at number six in the NBA lottery. Every mock draft tells a different story. They’ve been projected to pick almost anyone, from guards like Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson to a possible big man pairing with Alex Sarr and Derik Queen or Khaman Maluach. Airious “Ace” Bailey’s draft stock looked amazing at the beginning of the draft cycle. He was in contention to be selected third or fourth; however, his stock has continuously fallen, and the Wizards should be electrified. This would give Washington a real shot at drafting another cornerstone piece to fit alongside both Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly, and ensure that the rebuild doesn’t take any longer than necessary.
Wizards Gifted Golden Ace Bailey Opportunity
The Situation
After the Wizards slid to sixth, there was almost no possibility the Wizards would land a player ready to take a big load on offense so early. Most of the players outside of Cooper Flagg, Bailey, Dylan Harper, and V.J. Edgecombe are potential-heavy targets. They would solely be drafted based on their highest ceiling and present fit with the roster. However, fast forward to the present, Bailey’s stock is sliding. According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Bailey appears confident despite the lack of workouts.
“Bailey’s predraft workout strategy has perplexed some observers, as he has yet to conduct a single known workout to date, having declined invitations from several teams within his draft range. Sources say Bailey’s camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-three player in the draft, but also seeks a clear pathway to stardom, perhaps feeling comfortable that a team will trade up to get him at number three or four, should he drop.”
Washington is in desperate need of a true young star who has the potential to blossom with the rest of the young core. With the recent news of some core pieces possibly being dealt before the season, Bailey could grow into a true franchise feature. If Ace falls outside of the top five, Washington shouldn’t hesitate to take their chances.
It’s certainly questionable for a player in Bailey’s situation to refuse workouts; however, according to Givony, there could be a reason for that.
“Some teams question whether Bailey has received assurances of being selected by a team currently outside the top five, to a situation deemed more advantageous from a geographic and playing time perspective.”
Is Washington that team? It certainly fits, and Bailey, despite the drama, is possibly the best possible prospect the Wizards need in this draft.
Ace’s Upside
Bailey is arguably one of the most confident players in this draft on the floor. He averaged 17.6 points on 46% shooting from the field and 34.6% from three. At times, he’s been criticized for his shot taking; however, with the right guidance and coaching, that should smooth out.
Ace won’t be handed the keys to the offense right away. However, Washington would surely mold him quickly into their number one option. Offensively, he would need a more pass-first point guard, and Bub Carrington fits that role very well. Both Carrington and Jordan Poole will steadily improve their playmaking skills as the Wizards get more offensive weapons. However, Ace won’t just make his presence known on the offensive end.
Defensively, Bailey would fit the mold of long and athletic builds that the Wizards have been drafting recently. Sarr and Coulibaly are two defensive powerhouses, and Bailey would fit nicely slotted at the two or three. Bailey averaged 1.3 blocks a game along with a steal last season. He would certainly make an impact on the 28th defensive rating team in the NBA last season. With his frame and size, he would be an elite defensive threat. Anywhere from smaller guards to the bigger guys down low, he’ll have an impact wherever they decide to put him.
His rebounding is also rather decent for a player at his height. He averaged 7.2 rebounds a game last season. With that in mind, the Wizards could certainly use another force on the glass. Last season, Washington finished 27th in defensive rebound percentage and 30th in opponent second chance points. Bailey wouldn’t be a complete shut down to the second chance buckets, but would certainly help clean up the defensive glass.
The Last Word
With all of this being said, it’s important to remember how good Bailey could end up being. He’s easily a top-four talent in the class. So while there is a chance he falls to sixth, it could still be unlikely. Bailey’s stock has slipped, no doubt, but most teams would love for Bailey to land with them. With multiple reports signaling Bailey will have a workout with the 76ers ahead of the draft. They may take their chances on him at three. However, if he doesn’t perform well, the Wizards’ odds of getting this rare and extremely valuable opportunity will undoubtedly increase.
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