The Utah Jazz chosen Rutgers wing Ace Bailey with the fifth general decide regardless of his representatives informing a minimum of one top-five staff he would not report if drafted, in accordance with ESPN sources. The Utah Jazz chosen Bailey fifth general regardless of his refusal to work out for the staff. Bailey’s pre-draft technique created vital intrigue within the run as much as the primary spherical of the 2025 NBA draft on Wednesday.
“I can management what I can management,” Bailey stated when requested about critics questioning his happiness with Utah. “They really feel how they really feel.”
Agent Omar Cooper defended Bailey’s pre-draft strategy as normal enterprise follow. Cooper famous that Bailey accomplished 18 staff interviews and took part in a Chicago exercise attended by all NBA franchises.
“Each NBA staff watched him work out in Chicago. Everybody obtained his medical. They watched him run and soar. They obtained his measurements,” Cooper advised ESPN.
Rival groups believed Bailey’s camp most well-liked the Washington Wizards, who held the sixth general decide. Washington efficiently drafted Alex Sarr second general in 2024 after he averted exercises with the Atlanta Hawks, who had been deciding on at No. 1.
The Wizards possessed a super roster match for Bailey’s wing expertise and scoring skill. Nevertheless, Utah’s secretive draft plans beneath new president Austin Ainge caught rival groups off-guard.
Utah completed with the league’s worst report however fell to fifth within the draft lottery. The Jazz capitalized on Bailey’s availability at a place the place he wasn’t anticipated to stay.
“He is nice. We had been capable of communicate with him. He was tremendous excited. We’re tremendous excited,” Ainge stated Wednesday night time. “His scoring will get a variety of consideration, deservedly so. He is very expert for his dimension.”
Cooper declined to deal with particular questions concerning Bailey’s future relationship with the Jazz group.
