Within the 2024-25 season, the New Orleans Pelicans completed with a report of 21 wins and 61 losses. For the primary time because the 2012-13 season, the crew completed with fewer than 30 wins within the common season.
The Pelicans had a 12.5% likelihood of constructing the primary decide within the 2025 NBA Draft and a 48.1% likelihood of constructing a top-four decide. Because of the lottery, New Orleans acquired the seventh decide. The decide was three spots decrease than initially anticipated. Yahoo Sports activities’ Kevin O’Connor reported that the crew is “actively contemplating” transferring up within the 2025 draft. Their goal is Lugetts’ Ace Bailey, who performed one season with the Scarlet Knights.
Will the Pelicans commerce ace Bailey within the 2025 draft?
Pelicans eye Ace Bailey in trade-up state of affairs https://t.co/Gua6J2WOWs
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 13, 2025
In response to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports activities, the Pelicans are coveting Rutgers ace Bailey. New Orleans owns the No. 7 total decide within the 2025 NBA Draft. Bailey is anticipated to be a top-five decide. If the Pelicans are severe about including Bailey to their roster, they will seemingly need to commerce up. O’Connor reported that New Orleans is “actively contemplating” transferring up on this yr’s draft.
His newest mock draft has the Pelicans buying and selling to the 76ers for the No. 3 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft. Many draft analysts have Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper as the primary two picks. If New Orleans have been to commerce as much as the No. 3 decide, ace Bailey would undoubtedly be taken. Kevin O’Connor predicts the Pelicans will ship the Pacers’ top-four protected first-rounder and Herb Jones to the Sixers in 2026 as a way to transfer up 4 spots.
Ace Bailey performed one season at Rutgers in 2024-25. He began all 30 video games he performed in, averaging 17.6 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks per recreation. His professional draft comparisons embody Paul George and Brandon Miller. Bailey has a 7-foot wingspan and makes use of it as a flexible two-way wing. The 2025 NBA Draft will happen on Wednesday, June twenty fifth. Let’s examine if the Pelicans can commerce up and draft Rutgers ace Bailey.
