Things Are Getting Weird With The NBA Draft - Reports Of Ace Bailey Sliding Because He Wants A 'Clear Pathway To Stardom', Refusing To Visit Basically Every Team

[Source] - 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-3 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 Nos. 3 or 4, should he drop.

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.

We're less than a week out from the NBA Draft and it's finally getting weird up top. We know that Cooper Flagg is going number 1, in fact I'll promise that will happen. Most people expect Dylan Harper to go 2 and then it's kind of up in the air. Most people would have Ace Bailey here, who somehow became one of the most polarizing prospects in recent memory. He played at Rutgers with Dylan Harper and because Rutgers sucked, everyone wants to blame Ace Bailey. Forget the fact they had mid-major talent trying to win in the Big 10 and Harper was hurt, people want to blame Bailey because of his game. He lacks defense, can score and basically had to take the entire offense into his own hands when Harper was out. Not necessarily his fault, but also not the most fun game to watch since Rutgers had 0 help around them. 

So now you have the report that he's sliding in the Draft because he wants a clear path to stardom and might have a guarantee from a better team. Don't blame him for that. He's not the first player to do this nor the last. But things are getting weird because of his agent. 

That's the key part here. Everyone is blaming Ace Bailey even though it's mostly his representation doing this. He just gets all the blame as the player. What I do laugh at is the report that came out this morning: 

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Brutal to have all that booked and get hit with the no show. I know people love canceling plans, but the person who made all the plans is in hell now. At least it happened to the Sixers here. I have no problems if any of the top teams want to cancel on the Sixers, that's just smart. I'd also never cancel what is basically a recruiting visit in the draft level. You go get some nice free meal, all-expenses paid, you can always tank a work out if you want or just say you're sick. Take the free dinner though. 

This somehow got to the point now though where Ace Bailey is underrated despite everyone calling him overrated. Rare we get to that point, but we got here before his name was even announced as a draft pick.