Anticipated NBA Draft 2025 Move: Pelicans planning to ascend positions for top prospect Ace Bailey
Let's Get the Ball Rolling:
Rumors keep swirling about the New Orleans Pelicans aiming to shake things up in the 2025 NBA draft, looking to trade their way up to nab Rutgers' hotshot guard, Ace Bailey. According to insider scoop from Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, the Pelicans are allegedly going all in on this move.
Pelicans Eyeing a Climb to No. 3 Pick
Seeing as it's been four long years since Zion Williamson graced the Pelicans as the first pick, this year's top-7 selection presents a golden opportunity but one they can't afford to squander. With the eagle-eyed Joe Dumars now in charge as general manager, the team's sights are set on the stars, and Bailey seems to be the main target in their crosshairs.
As the wheeling and dealing begins, whispers suggest the Pelicans might offer up their 7th pick, a future first-rounder from the Pacers (top-4 protected), and Herb Jones in exchange for the 3rd pick and Kelly Oubre, who has a player option.
"Folks, if this trade goes down, it'll be a flat-out dagger to the hearts of those who didn't believe Dumars and his crew could pull off a stunner like this. Most front-office execs believe Bailey's the guy Dumars wants, so is it a sure thing Bailey will slip all the way to the 7th pick? No bloody way, and this trade would lock down the Pelicans' man," O'Connor penned.
Ace Bailey: The Freshman Phenom
Bailey, a 6-foot-10, 210-pound guard/forward and a consensus five-star recruit, captivated everyone with his dazzling performance during his first college season. He shone brightly in the 2024 McDonald's All-American Game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Nike Hoop Summit.
Over 30 games with Rutgers, Bailey averaged an impressive 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.3 blocks, and a whopping 33.3 minutes per contest, all while shooting 46% from the field and 34.6% from deep. Thanks to his sensational play, he netted a Big Ten All-Freshman selection, finishing 14th in points scored, 13th in total rebounds, 11th in blocks, and 9th in usage percentage.
Bailey's size and shooting prowess have scouts drawing comparisons to NBA heavyweights like Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith. It's no wonder the Pelicans are big-time suitors for this rising star.
Injury-Plagued Pelicans In Need of a Fresh Start
The 2024-25 Pelicans season was a bit of a disaster, mainly due to a string of nagging injuries that crippled their chances at playoff contention. Star players like Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Jose Alvarado all suffered significant blows that kept them sidelined, and in some cases, out for the season.
Unfortunately, injuries took their toll, and the Pelicans never managed to field their dream trio of Ingram, Murray, and Williamson. Only three players logged more than 60 games: CJ McCollum, Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
Despite the rough season, the Ingram trade offers some consolation. The new deal frees up some wiggle room under the luxury tax for the Pelicans. Including their lottery pick and 12 players under contract, the Pelicans sit comfortably $5 million below the tax line.
The Pelicans' Hands Are (Somewhat) Free
Despite having three trade exceptions ($13.0, $9.9, and $2.1 million), the Pelicans are currently hard-capped at the first apron and cannot take on more than $5.7 million in salary. With the first apron restriction set to expire on June 30, the Pelicans own all of their first-round picks, including some tasty future assets.
From trading for Ingram, the Pelicans now have a 2027 top-4-protected first from the Pacers that becomes top-4 protected again in 2028 if not conveyed the prior year. They also have the option to send the most favorable selection between their own or Milwaukee to Atlanta in 2027, which is top-5 protected, and the right to swap firsts with Milwaukee in 2026.
All told, the Pelicans have six firsts and four seconds waiting to be dealt. With Bailey's star potential, they might just have enough power to nab him, provided they're willing to make the right offers. The 2025 NBA draft will play out on June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Are the Pelicans willing to roll the dice and risk it all for Bailey? Only time will tell.
- With the Pelicans aggressively pursuing Rutgers' guard Ace Bailey in the 2025 NBA draft, trading their way up to secure the 3rd pick and giving up Herb Jones, the team seems determined to secure a potential NBA star who has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith.
- If the Pelicans' trade moves in the upcoming draft materialize, it could significantly bolster their roster following a 2024-25 season plagued by injuries that crippled their chances at playoff contention.
- The Pelicans, needing a fresh start, now find themselves with some financial flexibility, having recently traded for Brandon Ingram, and a valuable stockpile of future assets, including multiple first-round picks, making them formidable trade partners in the upcoming NBA playoffs.
- As the countdown to the 2025 NBA draft continues, with the event set to take place on June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the Pelicans' eyes remain firmly fixed on the prize: drafting Ace Bailey, a freshman phenom who averaged impressive stats during his first college season, poised to revolutionize the sport of basketball in the NBA.
