Ace Bailey, drafted fifth total by the Utah Jazz, confirmed he’ll be part of the crew, quelling commerce rumors.
Ace Bailey poses on the crimson carpet previous to the primary spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 within the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images through AFP)(Getty Images through AFP)
The 18-year-old rising star, chosen No. 5 total in Wednesday’s NBA Draft out of Rutgers, will report back to the Jazz on Saturday, a crew consultant confirmed to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
“We’ve had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives,” the consultant mentioned. “We be ok with the whole lot. Ace and his household are coming to Utah tomorrow. We’ll have a press convention Sunday, and a follow Monday.”
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That affirmation successfully ends the widespread buzz that Bailey or his camp could have been trying to steer his draft vacation spot. While Bailey didn’t work out for any crew previous to the draft, all indicators now level to him being totally dedicated to beginning his professional profession in Salt Lake City.
“He’s nice,” Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge mentioned after the draft. “We have been in a position to communicate with him. He was tremendous excited. We’re tremendous excited. We’re anticipating a really vibrant future.”
Bailey’s Utah wager shakes up Lakers’ offseason blueprint
Bailey will now start making ready for the NBA Summer League, set to tip off on 10 July. After a standout season with the Scarlet Knights, the place he averaged 17.6 factors, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per sport, incomes All-Big Ten honours, the ahead arrives in Utah as one of many league’s most talked about rookies.
Yet, one such ripple impact could be on Los Angeles due to Bailey’s sudden dedication to Utah.
With the Los Angeles Lakers getting into the offseason disenchanted by dropping within the first spherical of the playoffs, the entrance workplace is more likely to pursue reinforcements to maximise Lebron James’ final title run. Many speculated that if Bailey expressed disinterest in Utah, the Jazz would possibly pivot towards making Lauri Markkanen obtainable in a commerce.
Instead, Utah’s stacked frontcourt now that includes Bailey, Markkanen, John Collins (who picked up his $26.2 million participant choice), and Walker Kessler presents a very good drawback for Danny Ainge to resolve.
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Notably, Markkanen’s capturing and dimension make him a great match subsequent to LeBron and Luka Dončić, whom the Lakers reportedly pursued. They additionally retained Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, and a coveted unprotected 2031 first-round choose.
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