By drafting Rutgers freshman forward Ace Bailey against his wishes, the Utah Jazz have literally opened up Pandora’s box. Given that Bailey was at one point a challenger to be drafted first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, they simply took the best player available when they were on the clock. Indeed, Jazz owner Ryan Smith confirmed that it was their overarching strategy on The Pat McAfee Show.
All of that being said and understood, they still interjected themselves into a conversation that Bailey didn’t appear to want them in. Now, the NBA and interwebs are rife with speculation about Bailey attempting to force his way out of Utah. What makes it so tragic is that this was a completely avoidable situation.
Ace Bailey Projects Jazz’s New Starting 5
But what if Bailey actually was happy to play for the Jazz?
At what appeared to be a draft party, the Rutgers product was interviewed by TikTok’s theshotclockshow.
“I’m not sure,” he responded. “I gotta do a bunch of research, but I’m glad to be there.”
Seems really unhappy to me 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/OdABQ6TCcC
— The Colonel (@colby_colonel) June 27, 2025
In an effort to jump start the dialogue, theshotclockshow slotted Bailey into the starting five himself, saying he would be in the first unit with Lauri Markkanen. A suddenly exuberant Bailey then named Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George. When asked about Walker Kessler, the 2025 No. 5 pick replied: “Yeah, I need him there, for sure.”
Then the host rattled off the names on his and Bailey’s projected starting five. As if struck by an epiphany, the Rutgers product shouted out one more player.
“Oh! Collin Sexton”
Given his palpable excitement when naming Collier and Collin Sexton, the connection between the trio has to be mentioned.
Bailey attended McEachern High School in Powder Springs (GA). Sexton is a Georgia native who went to Hillbrook High School in Powder Springs before transferring to Pebblebrook High School in Mableton (GA). Collier, born in Atlanta (GA) and raised in Marietta (GA), attended local Wheeler High School.
With that in mind, there’s a strong chance that Bailey is more familiar with Collier and Sexton than he would otherwise be. That doesn’t guarantee that there will be great on-court or off-court chemistry between them. However, it does increase the probability. Whether their off-court interests are the same, they know the same places and may have had similar experiences in their lives.
What’s Next For Ace Bailey?
What’s most important about the clip from Bailey’s draft party is that it flies in the face of much of what’s been reported. At this point, Bailey’s been painted as less than thrilled to be playing for the Jazz. In fact, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (h/t Adam Zagoria of NJ Advance Media) reports that Bailey has had “minimal contact” with the team since being drafted. Furthermore, Bailey’s agent has declined to comment on his client’s future with Utah.
“The Jazz were very excited to welcome him to Utah over the weekend and that hasn’t happened yet. So he did not go there. Their other first-round pick, Walter Clayton Jr., flew to Utah on Thursday and is getting ready to go. Ace Bailey did not and there’s been minimal contact with him and the team.
“The question is, is Ace Bailey going to report and what would happen if he didn’t? There’s not a crisis yet. What the Jazz are saying is, he’s not expected in Utah until the weekend and really what he needs to do is be there by Monday when their training camp for Summer League. And if he’s there, no problem, hope his Jazz career gets off to a good start. If he’s not, let’s see what actions go from there.”
There should be no doubt that the Jazz weren’t on his preferred host of destinations. However, he sounds at least respectfully receptive of the idea of playing there. If ESPN’s Shams Charania is to be believed, he may not have much choice anyways though. After all, the Jazz have already shown they have a Machiavellian mindset by drafting him in the first place.
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