Jazz legend Ace Bailey's aspirations unveiled as 2025 NBA Draft venture results in a misstep
Newslens:
Utah Jazz stole the show at the 2025 NBA Draft, flipping the script for Ace Bailey, who had his heart set on teams like the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, or Brooklyn Nets.
Bailey, the No. 5 pick, was seemingly not thrilled about landing in Utah, as he had not been a "preferred" destination for him. ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported that Bailey was hoping to bypass Utah and chase stardom elsewhere.
You can bet Bailey wasn't jumping for joy when the Jazz came calling — he had snubbed workouts with various teams, including Utah, to have a hand in shaping his draft destination, according to Givony. The Rutgers baller was the only U.S. prospect who refused to work out for any team before the big night.
Alas, his agency couldn't control the Jazz's decision to draft him. Givony put it pretty straightforwardly: "If an NBA team decides they’re going to take Ace Bailey, that’s exactly what happened."
But guess what? This could turn out to be a dream scenario for Bailey. Utah's wing position is wide open, they're starving for a player like him, and their coaching staff is said to be top-notch. Given some time and adjustment, Bailey might just realize he's landed in the perfect spot with the Utah Jazz.
As for Bailey's reaction when his name was called, it wasn't exactly exuberant. Some folks on social media felt he looked like he was about to weep, while others saw him as downright glum. But hey, not every pick can be a dream come true, right?
Stay Tuned
Follow our coverage of the 2025 NBA Draft for more insights and analysis!
Despite initial reservations about joining the Utah Jazz, Ace Bailey might find his NBA career taking off due to the team's need at the wing position and top-notch coaching staff. In fact, this perceived setback could turn out to be a golden opportunity for him, working his way up within the organization, particularly with the sport of basketball and the NBA being his ultimate goal.
