It would not be fair, of course, in the wake of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning the NBA's MVP award and leading the Thunder to the NBA championship this week, to hold incoming draftee Ace Bailey to the SGA standard. They are considerably different as players, and there's little chance that Bailey's ceiling will stretch as high as that of Gilgeous-Alexander.
But, one NBA executive points out, Bailey's behavior in the days leading up to the NBA draft are very similar to how Gilgeous-Alexander handled himself in the run-up to his draft, back in 2018.
"People forget these things, and that's why I don't think anyone should have a problem with what Bailey is doing," the executive said. "It's exactly what Shai did in his draft."
Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) goes to the basket during the first half against the USC Trojans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) goes to the basket during the first half against the USC Trojans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Bailey has been cagey about working out for teams heading into Wednesday's draft. There were early projections that had him firmly in place as the No. 3 pick in this draft--perhaps even at No. 2--but after the lottery, he has not been willing to work out for teams holding the No. 3, 4 or 5 picks, where he would be expected to land.
That would be the Sixers, Hornets or Jazz. Bailey, according to reports, wants a quicker run at stardom than those teams can offer. Bailey has not worked out for anyone, in fact, and the optics have not been great--he is working his way down the draft board, which is a controversial choice on his part.
But Gilgeous-Alexander did the same thing seven years ago coming out of Kentucky, declining to work out of teams and, instead, setting up in Los Angeles and conducting open workouts. I reported on SGA's plan at the time--he wanted to go to the Clippers and was angling to do just that.
The Clippers traded up to No. 11 and picked Gilgeous-Alexander, which was exactly his plan. They traded him a year later--not what he'd bargained for--and that has, in the end, worked out nicely.
"The Clippers had a promise to Shai in place, he wanted to be there and they wanted him, he just had to make himself look unappealing to everyone else, which he did," the exec said. "Bailey's on that same path. There's probably a promise there, like there was with Shai."