After one of the most painful seasons in recent NBA history, the New Orleans Pelicans are embarking on one of the most crucial offseasons in the annals of their franchise. Their 2024-25 campaign was completely derailed by injuries. Despite possessing a deep roster with plenty of high-level talent, including Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray, the Pels couldn't keep their best players on the court for any extended stretch of the calendar, resulting in a miserable 21-61 finish, placing them 14th in the Western Conference.
On top of their disastrous season, New Orleans' suffering only continued into the offseason. Despite finishing with the fourth-worst record in the league, the Pelicans drew just the seventh pick in the lottery. However, the 2025 draft class is expected to feature several future All-Stars, with a handful of exciting prospects at the top of the board.
At seven, New Orleans was in danger of just missing out on the cream of the crop from this draft. After Duke's Cooper Flagg, there are a few talents that could feasibly lead a franchise someday, but the odds are a lot thinner outside of the top five. Luckily for the Pelicans, though, one of the most promising athletes in the class could fall right into their laps.
Ace Bailey could be making himself available for the New Orleans Pelicans
Throughout the predraft process, no player has been more controversial than Rutgers' Ace Bailey. Coming into his freshman season with the Scarlet Knights, Bailey was viewed as one of the top prospects in the country, just behind Cooper Flagg. While he didn't have the most efficient campaign, the flashes he showed as a jumbo shot creator on the wings were enough to keep him in discussion to go as high as three in this upcoming draft.
Apparently, a decent chance to go third wasn't enough for Bailey and his camp. Reportedly, he cancelled his meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the number three pick, and will go into the draft without working out for any team. There have been rumblings that Bailey was seeking a draft promise from the Sixers and refused to appear before them without one, although that's also been refuted by other sources.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony disclosed that Bailey and his representation want assurances of a preferred fit for the former Scarlet Knight, somewhere with "a clear pathway to stardom." Many believe that this means Ace wants to get drafted to a team that'll provide him a starting role, developmental prioritization, and plenty of shots from day one. Givony also reported that Bailey's combine interviews yielded mixed reactions from prospective teams, "with some teams expressing concern about his lack of preparation and focus."
Between Bailey's controversial predraft perception and his underwhelming year at Rutgers, his draft stock has taken a massive hit since he was dubbed the number two player in his class coming out of high school. Now, despite his blue-chip pedigree, there's a realistic chance that he could fall to seven.
The Pelicans and Ace Bailey would be a match made in heaven
The Pelicans are at a crossroads. On the one hand, with talented players like Zion, TMIII, Dejounte, and CJ McCollum on the team, they shouldn't be too far off from a contending roster. At the same time, between their top players' proclivities for injury and their lack of success in the past, New Orleans and its new president of basketball operations, Joe Dumars, have to at least be considering a franchise reset.
Ace Bailey offers them the opportunity to try out both paths. At Rutgers, he displayed the tools necessary to contribute to winning NBA basketball right away, cashing in on over 38 percent of his catch-and-shoot triples and proving to be the Knights' most effective team defender.
At over 6'7" barefoot with ball skills and a natural talent for making tough shots, though, Ace also looks the part of a future superstar and franchise cornerstone, perhaps more so than anyone in this class not named Cooper Flagg. If the Pelicans do wind up wanting to rebuild, having Bailey as a centerpiece for their next era would give them a great leg up.
Not only is he an ideal prospect for New Orleans at seven, but this team would be a perfect fit for him, too. Over the last four years, Head Coach Willie Green has shown the ability to foster growth and nurture star potential, with Zion, Trey Murphy, Brandon Ingram, and others taking massive strides in their game under his wing.
The Pelicans may have playoff aspirations next season, but they should have plenty of opportunity for Bailey to showcase his talent, too. Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones are all expected to miss time to start the year after suffering campaign-ending injuries in 2024-25. Between their early absences, New Orleans's lack of reliable depth on the roster, and Zion Williamson's injury history, there will be ample chances for Ace Bailey to shine in his rookie year.
The Pelicans have been reported to have interest in taking Ace at seven, and their situation seems to be a seamless fit for his camp's preferences. With him tanking his draft value, it'll feel like they were destined for each other if he does end up being available when New Orleans is on the clock.