The Jazz have selected Rutgers forward Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the draft.
There’s no trade in the works, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, who tweets that Utah intends to hang onto Bailey.
Bailey’s situation had been one of the most popular subjects of speculation in the weeks leading up to the draft. While he was widely considered the third-best prospect in this year’s class by draft experts, he canceled a workout with the Sixers at No. 3 and declined invitations to visit other teams in the top half of the lottery, fueling speculation that his agents were trying to steer him to a preferred destination.
Rumors leading up to the draft suggested that Bailey might be trying to get to a team on the East Coast, such as Washington at No. 6 or Brooklyn at No. 8. Instead, he’ll begin his NBA career in Utah.
Bailey played alongside No. 2 pick Dylan Harper at Rutgers in 2024/25. The 6’8″ forward averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 33.3 minutes per game across 30 contests (all starts), registering a .460/.346/.692 shooting line.
Bailey, who will turn 19 in August, is considered one of the best scorers in this year’s draft and brought a “high level of intensity” on the defensive end as a freshman, per Givony. While there have been questions about his maturity, Bailey has the potential to be as impactful on the court as anyone in the 2025 draft.
Bailey’s high ceiling is crucial for the Jazz, who don’t have any obvious future All-Stars or franchise cornerstones among their players on rookie scale contracts and finished with a league-worst 17-65 record in 2024/25. Despite entering lottery night with the best odds of any team to land a top-four pick, Utah fell to No. 5 — having drafted Bailey, the Jazz were still able to add a prospect with legitimate star-level upside.
Serves him right. Enjoy wackovillle
He will get tons of playing time and beautiful scenery. Your uneducated opinion
Not a fun place for a young NBA player. Not much of a night life and burning hot during the sumer and ice cold during the winter.
The hard alcohol is 40 proof and the beer is mandated to be like 2.5%. Also shots are measure out with state mandated measuring tops that do exactly 1 fl oz.
So fun peeing all night like crazy while partying and barely getting buzzed. Its not the home court at altitude that gives the players an advantage at home in UTH its that they go so hard on the road in actual fun cities.
I go to Salt Lake, Layton and St. George several times a year for work. That’s old inaccurate news. It was mandated that grocery and convenience stores could only sale beer up to 3.2 ABV. Anything higher you has to go to the state run liquor store. That law changed in 2019. Now those places can sell up to 5.0. If anything higher you have to go to a state liquor store. Shots are regulated at 1.5 oz. Mixed drinks can have up to 2.5 oz.
Thing is he didn’t want to go there
Hey well give him a call, and tell him too bad, that’s were he’s going
I did not see this coming. This is going to be interesting. I don’t know if the Wizards will take best available (maybe Johnson?) or guy they have expressed the most interest in (Frears?) or something else?
I’m biased and wanted Bailey in DC, but I think he’s a great fit for Utah. I hadn’t seen much smoke there, but it makes sense.
Bailey and Lauri nice duo with Kessler the 5.
Still think they need a older SG to lead this team.
Jrue Holiday would be great if you want to go with Keyonte George, Zach LaVine would be good if you want to pair with Isiah Collier.
Personally I’d be lining up Holiday, George has a massive ceiling, this team lacks defenders and experience. Jrue would do well to lead Keyonte and provide some defence on the perimeter. Kessler locks up the paint, Lauri has length as a help defender in the paint, Ace has potential to be better.
They could offer Collins or Clarkson/Sexton and guys like Cody Williams/Taylor Hendricks
Maybe a top 3 team next year
No, nowhere near.
A play in spot would be a good result
Utah??
Not a premier destination but he should get plenty of opportunities.
Sorry brotha.
Bailey good be the reason in Utah! More trades coming!
Huh?
Willis, what you talking bout?
Ace loves that. No game plan just your turn my turn with you and Markkanen while chucking 15 shots per game…
I hope he enjoys 80 oz soda pops at the drive thru
How tall is Ace Bailey? Basketball-reference has him as a 6’10” 200 lb guard??
Never understood why the Jazz weren’t consider a relevant destination for him. Wanted enough shots and on-ball reps? No reason the Jazz couldn’t accomodate that. Just look at who they’ve been starting on ball the last couple of years.
Hopefully it works out for them because they’ve had some key misses in the draft lately.
Ace Bailey is a great pick! Danny Ainge and Austin Ainge love their wings!