Ace Bailey tried everything short of hiring a PR firm to avoid landing in Utah. The 18-year-old phenom from Rutgers reportedly made his disinterest in the Jazz known throughout the pre-draft process—refusing to work out for the team, declining interviews, and quietly making it known through his camp that Salt Lake City was not where he envisioned starting his NBA career.
And yet, that’s exactly where he’s going.
With the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz selected Bailey, stunning fans and insiders alike who were aware of the tension between player and franchise. For weeks, Bailey had been linked to teams like Washington and Brooklyn—markets closer to home, with more cultural familiarity and, perhaps, a more exciting media spotlight. Utah was never on his list.
Reports indicated that Bailey’s camp made strategic decisions during the pre-draft cycle to steer him elsewhere, notably refusing to attend workouts or meet with the Jazz front office. While this isn’t unheard of in draft circles, it’s still relatively rare—and always risky. Utah, however, didn’t blink. They saw a 6’8” forward with elite athleticism, two-way potential, and one of the highest ceilings in the class, and pulled the trigger anyway.
To their credit, the Jazz insist there are no hard feelings. Team president Danny Ainge praised Bailey’s upside and said they’re confident that once he’s in the building, he’ll see the value of what they’re building.
Bailey’s reaction on draft night was unexpectedly composed. Despite the narrative, he didn’t display any visible discomfort and called the moment a “blessing.” Still, there’s a quiet awkwardness hanging in the air—Bailey tried to go everywhere but Utah, and now he has no choice but to prove himself there.
This isn’t the first time a prospect has tried to avoid a franchise—see Kobe Bryant and the Hornets, or Steve Francis and the Grizzlies—but it’s rare to see a team defy a player’s preferences so directly in today’s NBA landscape.
Now, all eyes turn to how this relationship unfolds. Will Bailey embrace Utah and become the face of a rebuilding franchise, or will this be a long, reluctant detour in his career?
Only time—and buy-in—will tell.