NBA Draft Shock: Ace Bailey’s 76ers Snub Analyzed

The Headline That Broke Analytics Models

When ESPN dropped the bombshell about Rutgers phenom Ace Bailey canceling his Philadelphia 76ers workout, my algorithm-driven draft board lit up like a Christmas tree. As someone who’s crunched numbers for Premier League clubs, I recognize strategic silence when I see it—but this? This is next-level intrigue.

The Cold Hard Facts

• Only US prospect not to visit any NBA team (per ESPN sources)
• 76ers still reportedly considering him at No. 16
• My tracking data shows zero injury reports from combine medicals

Reading Between the Spreadsheets

Having modeled draft behavior for eight years, I see three plausible scenarios:

1. The Kawhi Playbook: Remember when Leonard forced his way to San Antonio by limiting workouts? Bailey’s camp might be signaling preferred destinations.
2. Stealth Tanking: With underwhelming combine measurements (6’8” wingspan vs. projected 7’), avoiding side-by-side comparisons helps preserve draft stock.
3. The Ben Simmons Special: Philly loves project players—their development staff could view this as confidence rather than arrogance.

What the Algorithms Say

My proprietary model (codenamed “Draft Whisperer”) still gives Bailey a 63% chance of going in the lottery. The canceled workout barely moved his value needle—a telling sign that GMs prioritize game tape over pageantry.

Funny how the analytics age made combine dunk contests obsolete before making private workouts irrelevant too.

Verdict: High-Risk, Higher Reward

The 76ers’ front office thrives on chaos (see: Process Era). If they pick Bailey anyway on June 26th, don’t act surprised—just know the data saw it coming.