Each day until the 2025 NBA Draft, Pippen Ain't Easy will profile one prospect who makes sense as a fit for the Bulls in either the first or second round. These players could fill a need, such as on-ball defense or rim protection, or could fit an archetype that Chicago lacks on its current roster, like an athletic big man or 3-and-D wing.
Being a top-ranked high school recruit puts you on the map before you ever step foot on a college campus. Former Rutgers forward Ace Bailey has been a known commodity for quite some time now, finishing up his high school career as the second-highest rated prospect in the class of 2024, only behind Cooper Flagg.
Bailey posted gaudy stat totals as a senior at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 33.4 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game en route to being named Georgia's Gatorade Player of the Year.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Bailey, alongside soon-to-be second overall pick Dylan Harper, committed to the Scarlett Knights in November 2023. Suiting up for Rutgers, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 1.6 three-pointers in 33.3 minutes per game through 30 appearances.
Ace Bailey's scouting report
As if Rutgers' disappointing 15-17 season combined with more questions than answers relating to Bailey's play-style wasn't detrimental enough, the blue-chip recruit has seen his stock wane in recent months following a lackluster NBA Combine performance and a peculiar pre-draft process, in which he has yet to work out for one NBA team. Still, regardless of the concerns, Bailey is one of the more physically gifted and skilled players in the draft class.
Offense
Bailey is the best shotmaker in the class; it's not up for debate. He can knock down just about any shot under the sun. Think Carmelo Anthony when Bailey faces up. The former Scarlet Knight would fit perfectly in the 2000s, a more half-court-oriented style of play. It doesn't matter if a hand is in Bailey's face or if two defenders are on him; he can put the ball through the net without taking excess dribbles.
The 18-year-old was given the ultimate green light at Rutgers, where he ranked in the 99th percentile in isolation possessions. However, being handed the keys (alongside Harper) didn't mean Bailey scored efficiently. Bailey scored 0.77 points per isolation, which ranks in the 42nd percentile. He'd force difficult shots, leading to a 53.6 true shooting percentage.
Furthermore, possessing a crafty handle goes a long way in isolation scoring. Yet, Bailey's handle was far from crafty at Rutgers. His handle just isn't explosive, and he doesn't utilize any countermoves. He showed flashes of a sleek crossover and between-the-legs dribble, but it wasn't routine. Due to Bailey's lack of elusiveness off the dribble, he'd often settle for tough pull-ups and fade-away jumpers.
Bailey's rudimentary handle went hand-in-hand with the lack of rim pressure he applied. The 18-year-old wing attempted more pull-ups than rim field goals. There were times his drives looked picturesque, using his length to slither to the rim. Nevertheless, the outcome wasn't always the best. Bailey shot 42.1 percent on layups in the halfcourt—not too inspiring for a 6-foot-8 wing.
Further dissecting Bailey's on-ball proficiency, or lack thereof, he recorded a negative assist-to-turnover ratio in his lone collegiate season. Bailey averaged 1.3 assists to 2.0 turnovers per game. Bailey falls into the tunnel vision camp of prospects with his subpar 8.3 assist percentage—the same as Arizona's Carter Bryant, whose usage percentage was 16.4 compared to Bailey's 27.5.
Treating Bailey's offensive scouting report like a compliment sandwich, we'll revert to his shooting once more. Bailey shot 38.7 percent on catch-and-shoot triples. He's elite when set, and arguably better when moving. Bailey can knock down shots off screens, handoffs, and off-the-move in general. He doesn't even need a sliver of time to get himself set and does a terrific job launching jumpers, moving to his right.
Defense
As briefly mentioned, Bailey's lackluster combine revolved around his disappointing measurements. After being listed 6-foot-10 by Rutgers, Bailey measured 6-foot-7 and a half at the combine. His wingspan measured over 7 feet, which is promising, but being 6-foot-8 and some change in shoes means Bailey is your typical small forward, especially at 203 pounds.
Being an inch or two shorter than expected won't hurt him too much on defense; he's projected to defend players 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-10 anyway. Even though he isn't the size of a center, he's still a devastating shot-blocker. Bailey averaged 1.3 blocks per game with a 4.1 block percentage—that's on par with Flagg. Projecting Bailey as a helpside defender isn't a stretch.
Moreover, Bailey averaged 1.0 steals and held a 1.7 steal percentage. He's aware off-ball and uses his length to his advantage, consistently deflecting passes and jumping the passing lane. In a one-on-one setting, he won't pick his defender's pocket, but he holds up in isolation.
Yes, Bailey is aware when off-ball, but his lapses remain commonplace. The 6-foot-8 wing would get beat backdoor and lose his man quite frequently. Not all college freshmen are attuned to the intricacies of defense, which is okay as a soon-to-be 19-year-old.
Bailey's unexpectedly high motor makes up for his lapses defensively. The Tennessee-native plays hard, and while his draft stock has slipped, there's been nothing said about a lack of character or a questionable work ethic. Bailey is a hustler, and his sky-high rebounding numbers are evidence of such. He snatched 7.2 boards per game.
Ace Bailey's fit with the Chicago Bulls
Now, how can a perceived top prospect land with the Bulls at pick No. 12? It's unlikely Bailey drops this far. He's too talented to be drafted outside the top 10. However, it's worth noting prospects like Bailey, i.e., Cam Whitmore, fell from a potential top-five selection to 20th because of legitimate red flags.
There are no injury concerns with Bailey, and his demeanor has even been characterized as "affable." Nonetheless, how Bailey and his camp have handled the pre-draft process is concerning. No one can pinpoint why Bailey has opted against meeting with a slew of NBA teams. He even went so far as to cancel a meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the third overall pick.
Thus, the expectation that the Sixers will select Baylor's V.J. Edgecombe is becoming more plausible by the day. And if Bailey falls, even past four, the Bulls should make some calls. The 18-year-old is the (somewhat) high-risk, high-reward product worth trading up for. His risk isn't all that much because he's such a good shooter that if he never develops a handle, he could still average 20 points per game.
Chicago is in dire need of talent, and Bailey provides just that. He also fills a position of need for the Bulls at forward. A Matas Buzelis-Bailey combination is mouth-watering. The mix of athleticism, shot-making, and defensive playmaking from those two would set the Bulls apart.
Bailey may feel like a pipe dream, but crazier things have happened. If anything, coming off the heels of a supposed extension, perhaps Artūras Karnišovas makes a splash and trades up to select Bailey to halt his hypothetical draft day slide. At least one can dream.
For more prospect profiles and all things draft-related, check out Pippen Ain't Easy's Chicago Bulls draft page. A new prospect's scouting report will be added daily.