Utah Jazz rookie forward Ace Bailey has ended his working relationship with manager Omar Cooper, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones. League sources told Jones that Bailey, the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is now in the process of finding new representation.
Bailey’s camp has drawn attention since before the draft due to its unconventional approach. The 19-year-old did not participate in pre-draft workouts or interviews with any team, including a scheduled session with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite that strategy, Utah selected him fifth overall after his standout freshman season at Rutgers, where he averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds. He later signed his rookie deal on July 2 alongside fellow Jazz draft pick Walter Clayton Jr.
Cooper, though not a certified agent, had been a central figure in Bailey’s basketball journey and was often viewed by front offices as the primary contact during negotiations. His influence also became a point of league scrutiny earlier this summer.
In July, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the NBA blocked Utah’s attempt to add Omar Cooper Jr., the son of Bailey’s advisor, to its Summer League coaching staff. The Jazz had planned to bring him in as an unpaid guest coach to help Bailey’s transition, but the league intervened and the arrangement was canceled.
Bailey, who was once projected as a potential top-three pick, slipped to fifth on draft night but is expected to play a major role in Utah’s rotation. With his size, athleticism, and scoring ability, the Jazz view him as a long-term cornerstone alongside Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George.
