The Utah Jazz selected Rutgers’ outstanding ace Bailey on their fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he didn’t seem excited about the choice.
On the fifth pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz surprised the league by selecting Rutgers’ forward ace Bailey on their fifth pick.
Bailey was expected to go primarily to the Philadelphia 76ers or the Washington Wizard, but refused to exercise with the team before the draft cleared things, and Bailey’s preferred landing point was not clear.
But it’s safe to say that Utah wasn’t on his list. When his name was called, he was not excited to walk to the stage, and he delayed his arrival in Salt Lake City in a few days.
Utah Brass knows his advantages are the best throughout the draft, including that of Cooper Flag, but Jazz has already got a call to replace him.
There are some concerns about Bailey’s willingness to play for Utah, but he answered the question head on, despite his long-term commitment to the team.
In college, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steel, 1.3 blocks, 46% off the floor and 34.6% off the deep.
He is a high-level scorer who can take off shots from anywhere and is expected to be one of the better defenders in the draft.
“We can do everything from rebound to defense, scoring to passing, so we can say we can bring it in many different ways,” Bailey said after it was drafted.
But all of these positives don’t matter whether he refused to play for Salt Lake City. Bailey quickly shot down concerns about his mentality before the summer league and his rookie season.
“Not at all,” Bailey said there is a truth in the rumors that he doesn’t want to be in Utah.
“I mean, I’m blessed with being in this position. I can’t sit in these chairs and have great teammates. They came with me.
In addition to adding Bailey in the first round, the Jazz also scooped Walter Clayton Jr. on their 18th pick. Clayton, like Bailey, won the NCAA Tournament, but Bailey’s Scarlet Knight failed to qualify, while Clayton is a big shotmaker.
Clayton is a proven winner and is expected to affect his win soon, as four college seasons are under his belt. Bailey is not a sophisticated prospect, but has been compared to Kevin Durant, Jason Tatum and all Hall of Fame player Paul George.
Bailey will have to compete with John Collins and Lauri Markanen for a few minutes, but the Jazz has already shipped Collin Sexton, moving ahead from Jordan Clarkson and soon opening a backcourt room for Clayton.
Utah is not expected to compete for much except for the first overall pick of next season, but once things go well with Bailey on and off the court, the Jazz will have a franchise player in hand.