Is Ace Bailey a no-brainer pick at No. 3?

Harrison Grimm has specialized in in-depth reporting and analysis of the Philadelphia 76ers and their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, since 2018.

The Sixers are slated to pick third in the 2025 NBA Draft, with a very real chance of landing a player who, for much of the cycle, was considered the consensus No. 3 prospect: Ace Bailey. But unlike most top-three picks, Bailey has sparked a wide range of opinions, becoming one of the more polarizing names in this class. Like many elite prospects, his profile comes with a mix of eye-popping talent and legitimate red flags.

Philadelphia has long searched for a long-term answer at the shot-creating forward spot — arguably since the days…