Ace Bailey entered the 2025 NBA draft as a projected top-two pick, but when draft night arrived, he unexpectedly slipped to No. 5, where the Utah Jazz selected him.
Despite earlier reports that Bailey and his former representatives preferred he land with the Washington Wizards instead, the Jazz are thrilled with how things have unfolded since bringing him into their system.
“I spent some time with the Jazz folks this week in L.A.,” Brian Windhorst said. “They were raving about Ace Bailey. Up and down. They love his make up. They raved about his basketball intelligence. They said he’s just now beginning to work on his body. They haven’t really done much of that. They are convinced that they were so lucky to get him at five.
“They tanked last year and then had egg all over his face when they had a horrible lottery night. They were so pleased he fell. They consider themselves lucky.”
Through his first 14 games with Utah, Bailey is averaging 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 20.3 minutes per game – solid early production for a rookie still adjusting to the NBA level.
Jazz 'Raving' About Ace Bailey, Feel 'Lucky' He Dropped To No. 5 https://t.co/bpLQoc7ehE
— RealGM (@RealGM) November 21, 2025
