Ace Bailey’s Draft Controversy Continues as ESPN Reveal Agent Threatened Teams

Rutgers star Ace Bailey is looking at ways to avoid signing with the Utah Jazz who were apparently informed of his disinterest to join them.

Ace Bailey’s Draft Controversy Continues as ESPN Reveal Agent Threatened Teams

Ace Bailey might not sign with Utah Jazz (Image via FirstSportz)

The 2025 NBA Draft saw a wave of emotions run throughout the green room. Be it happy tears, where players finally realized their dreams. Or, in the case of Ace Bailey, his disappointed look after being selected by the Utah Jazz has since become a point of discussion.

The Rutgers star looked visibly upset that he could not go to either of the teams he and his agent earmarked as the best landing spots. He was not interested in being selected by either of the teams drafting from No. 2 to No. 5, which included the Jazz.

To make his intent clear, Bailey declined to work out with any team so that they would not get into any discussions with him. However, that plan did not materialize after the Jazz, despite his disinterest, proceeded to select him at No. 5.

I was told that his agent, Omar Cooper, told at least one team in the top five before the draft that his client will not report if they decided to draft him. Are we going to see him in Utah anytime soon?

Jonathan Givony said

This was ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, who revealed what Ace Bailey’s agent, Omar Cooper, did before the draft. He threatened teams picking up to No. 5 by suggesting his client would not report for the summer training camp that starts on Monday.

ESPN’s college basketball analyst Jay Bilas believes the 18-year-old might sit out of the upcoming official press conferences if he wants to make a statement and hold his ground. If he does so, Bilas thinks it will place the forward in a bad light.

Ace Bailey’s agent declines to speak with journalists

Bailey was nonchalant in his first interview with reporters after the Utah Jazz selected him. He is not openly talking about what he is feeling, and neither is his agent. Jonathan Givony tried to reach out to Omar Cooper, but has not received any comment.

It seems they are collectively trying to force their way to a team of their choosing. It is unnatural for teams to trade players they want to sign to a rookie deal. Bailey and Cooper are trying to force the Jazz into trading with one of the teams they want the forward to play for.

Danny Ainge is one of the most experienced executives in league history. He is a shrewd negotiator, which is evident from the way he has fleeced teams of draft picks whenever he feels they need his help to complete a trade.

Except for the trade involving Luka Doncic, Ainge has generally wound up being the winner. Rival executives are aware of that, and they might be wary of trying to give away more than necessary, even though Bailey is a future star.

Ace Bailey might find it difficult to get his way

Bailey is not the first player to not want to sign with the team he was drafted by. However, the teenager is an early entry player. That means once the Utah Jazz offer him a Required Tender, they will hold on to his draft rights for at least three years.

Ace Bailey is trying to force his way into a team of his choice
Ace Bailey is trying to force his way into a team of his choice (Image via NBA/X)

That way, the Rutgers star cannot just decline the tender, sit out, and hope he can sign as a free agent with a team of his choice. Austin Reaves famously did that after he was selected by the Detroit Pistons.

However, at the time of the 2021 Draft, he was more than 22 years old, which made him a non-early entry prospect. Moreover, he was a second round pick, which probably led the Pistons to not bother giving him a Required Tender.

That way, he managed to go undrafted and then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. Ace Bailey’s situation is completely different, yet somehow, his agent and family believe he has the leverage to dictate his immediate future.

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