As the college basketball season kicked off, the draft class drew attention for its star potential. Three standout talents, Cooper Flag, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey, were expected to take the top three picks, just in different orders.
All three had impressive seasons showcasing their skills, although Harper and Bailey’s teams didn’t make it to the NCAA Tournament. Still, reports floated around recently suggesting that Bailey and his camp weren’t keen on getting involved with the 76ers.
They seemed to prefer being part of a rebuilding team like the Wizards, Pelicans, or Nets, where Bailey could make a significant impact from the outset. Subsequently, he even called off a workout with Philadelphia, causing some experts to reconsider their predictions for him.
This has led to some uncertainty about the draft’s top picks. With significant trades happening, like Kevin Durant moving to the Mavericks and the Celtics dealing Porzingis to the Hawks as part of a complex transaction involving Jrue Holiday and the Trail Blazers, the landscape has changed.
One insider mentioned, “This draft feels quite unique. There’s a buzz of trade discussions and a lot of uncertainty. When speaking with teams and agents, the activity is pretty wild. The range of options seems broader than in previous years.”
If Bailey isn’t the third pick for the 76ers, they might consider Baylor’s athletic VJ Edgecombe instead.
Other potential players include guards Tre Johnson (Texas), Con Knueppel (Duke), and Jeremiah Fear (Oklahoma).
As one NBA scout put it anonymously, “Picking Bailey at No. 3 is almost essential, or everything is off.”
At the very top, though, there’s little mystery—Flag is the expected first overall pick, likely going to the Mavericks.
Flag’s position as a top prospect crystallized after he attended Duke last fall, sparking hype reminiscent of Zion Williamson. He was even named the consensus national player of the year this past season.
At 6-foot-9 and not turning 19 until December, he demonstrates no weaknesses. He excels in everything from shooting and distributing to defending and rebounding.
His stats speak volumes: 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, 1.4 steals, and shooting 38.5% from three-point range.
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas likened him to “the queen on a chessboard,” noting his versatility defensively.
Meanwhile, when Walter Clayton Jr., an older prospect invited to the Green Room, was asked who he thought was the best player, he humorously replied, “I’m 22.”
In the eyes of the NBA, older players like him, along with first-round hopefuls Neek Clifford (23), Cedric Coward (21), Danny Wolf (21), and Maxim Raynaud (22), are somewhat aged.
Generally, teams tend to favor younger talent. However, guys like Clayton and Clifford are proving that it’s possible to succeed, following paths set by recent NBA talents like Jalen Brunson and Payton Pritchard.
Clayton remarked, “While teams love young talent, Neek and I show that experience matters.”
Clifford, who had an exceptional season, is one of the few players this winter to shoot over 37% from long range, boasting averages of 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
He believes older players need to stand out even more in the pre-draft evaluations, considering they have different experiences to draw from.
“You must be at a higher level as an older guy, especially in training. You need to be sharp in interviews,” he explained. “I see it more as experience than age, which I can leverage to my advantage in the NBA.”
