In the months leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, Ace Bailey was projected as the consensus No. 3 overall pick. A high-flying, shot-making wing with tantalizing upside, Bailey stood just behind his Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper and presumed No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg in virtually every mock draft. Most projections had him landing with the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3—a franchise in need of youth and length on the wing and a market where Bailey’s brand could flourish. But with just days remaining before the draft, the trajectory of Bailey’s professional journey has taken a sudden and polarizing turn.

Bailey, reportedly represented by Omar Cooper—the father of former Auburn star and NBA player Sharife Cooper—has become the centerpiece of what could be one of the most controversial draft strategies in recent memory. According to multiple reports, Cooper has been attempting to guide Bailey away from the top of the draft toward a select group of East Coast teams, particularly those expected to pick in the 6–9 range. This geographic window includes franchises such as the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets, which are positioned closer to Bailey’s home base and potentially offer clearer roles for immediate on-court development.

The strategy reached a boiling point last week when Bailey cancelled his pre-draft workout with the 76ers—less than seven days before the draft. In fact, Bailey will enter draft night without having conducted a single individual workout for any NBA team, an extremely rare occurrence for a top prospect. While this has sparked significant criticism and concern from team executives and fans alike, it also signals a potentially disruptive new tactic in player representation.

The Cost of Control

There’s no sugarcoating it: financially, this approach could be expensive—at least in the short term. According to the NBA’s rookie scale, there’s approximately a $10 million difference in total contract value between the 3rd and 8th overall picks. While rookie contracts are guaranteed, Bailey’s refusal to cooperate with top-picking teams could cause him to slide several spots down the board, sacrificing significant earnings before he even steps on an NBA court.

Many scouts and league insiders agree: Bailey’s talent easily warrants a top-three selection. His smooth shooting stroke, athleticism, and defensive upside have drawn comparisons to elite two-way wings like Paul George and Jayson Tatum. So why risk the fall? The answer, some believe, lies in long-term value and career optimization.

A Calculated Bet on Fit Over Fortune

Despite the backlash, rival agents are reportedly watching Omar Cooper’s maneuvering with more interest than judgment. In recent years, the league has seen how the right team—regardless of draft position—can fast-track a player’s development and earning potential.

Take Tyrese Maxey, for example, who fell to the 21st pick in 2020 and then signed a 5-year, $204M extension after developing into a cornerstone player for the Sixers. Or Jalen Williams, drafted 12th by the Thunder, who’s blossomed into one of the most exciting young forwards in the league thanks to a well-defined role and patient development. Like Maxey, Williams has turned the opportunity afforded by his draft position into a potential $247M contract extension this offseason.

If Bailey can join a stable organization that offers playing time, a clear role, and market appeal, the bet is that he can recoup—and even surpass—the money lost on his rookie contract. An All-Star appearance, a Most Improved Player campaign, or even a playoff breakout could all position him for a significantly larger second deal. For a player with Bailey’s ceiling, the financial difference between an $8 million rookie deal and a $200 million second contract ultimately comes down to timing, not destiny.

Agents understand this math, and they understand optics. Cooper’s move is undeniably high-risk, but it’s not without precedent. Klutch Sports has famously steered clients away from small-market teams, and international stars have long used draft leverage to control their NBA entry. What’s different here is the brazenness—there’s no medical holdout, no Euro-stash fallback, no secret injury. Instead, Bailey and his team are loudly and publicly refusing to engage with certain teams, deliberately focusing on a select few.

A New Era of Player Empowerment?

Whether this gamble works may depend entirely on the trajectory of Bailey’s first two years in the league. If he performs well—particularly if he thrives in a system that gives him a green light early and fosters his shot-creation ability—the narrative may quickly shift. Cooper could be seen not as reckless but as revolutionary.

But if Bailey struggles or fails to stand out on a non-contending team, the questions will only grow louder. Did he overplay his hand? Would a season alongside Joel Embiid in Philadelphia have accelerated his growth more than a rebuild in Washington or Charlotte? Did sacrificing $10 million in guaranteed salary and potential endorsement opportunities set back his career rather than position it for success?

The NBA world will be watching closely. Bailey’s draft-night landing spot and his performance over the next two seasons may serve as the ultimate litmus test for whether agents can—and should—exert more influence over draft outcomes.

In an era where player empowerment continues to reshape the league, Cooper and Bailey may be testing the next frontier: strategic draft manipulation not for ego, but for longevity. And while many disagree with the execution, no one is ignoring the audacity.

Oliver Canning is a 3L at the University of Miami School of Law. He can be followed on Twitter (X) @OCanning and found on LinkedIn.