Ace Bailey's decision not to work out for any team prior to the draft is perplexing, to put it lightly. The Charlotte Hornets still reportedly considering selecting him is even more bewildering. Perhaps the front office should only mull over the idea if he changes his representation, even though that seems improbable.
Much has been said about Bailey's wild draft strategy, and it might be better for Charlotte to pass on the apparent walking red flag if he's still available at No. 4. On the other hand, his ridiculous upside and the possibility that he could be the best player available when the Hornets are on the clock make the decision-making process more complicated for Jeff Peterson and his crew.
It would have been a bit easier if Bailey had visited the Queen City to determine his mutual compatibility with the franchise. He even talked positively about joining forces with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller during the draft combine.
Hornets do not need another drama
However, it appears the young prospect has not been receiving the right advice if you ask some pundits.
Folks have done some digging to find out what they can about Bailey's agent, who happens to be Omar Cooper. The LifeStyle Sports Agency founder and CEO doesn't appear to have much experience handling pro hoopsters, as the most notable of his previous clients who play in the NBA appears to be Isaac Okoro. His current client list, per RealGM, consists only of Ace, an NBA G Leaguer, and a college sophomore who has just transferred to Bailey's alma mater, Rutgers University. Perhaps some internet sleuths can connect the dots there.
Cooper has also been criticized for allegedly wanting to get paid to do on-camera interviews this past season. He could have had plenty of opportunities to put Bailey in a good light among teams that could draft him this summer.
So, the Hornets should think more than twice if they plan on still drafting the 18-year-old. The drama he could bring to Charlotte could be detrimental to their dream of rising out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference and becoming a legitimate playoff contender. And with Cooper offering him guidance, it might not be too long before he would want out of the squad, especially if he doesn't get his desire to be a star right out of the gate.
Of course, it is also possible that Bailey could become the catalyst to improve the Hornets' abysmal offense, given his three-level scoring and shot-creating abilities. But would they be willing to take such a tremendous risk at such a critical juncture for the franchise? We'll find out tomorrow.