Jazz Selecting Ace Bailey Despite Declining Workouts Has NBA Fans in Splits: “Boutta Request a Trade Already”
Rutgers star Ace Bailey was projected to be the 2nd best prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft but dropped down the board after declining workouts.

Ace Bailey stunned as Utah Jazz select him at No. 5 (Image via FirstSportz)
Ace Bailey was making waves before the NBA Draft. Touted to go as high as No. 2 overall, the Rutgers star started to rub teams the wrong way after he declined workouts. The 18-year-old and his agent made it clear they were intent on joining one of three specific teams.
He hoped to be drafted by the Washington Wizards, the New Orleans Pelicans, or the Brooklyn Nets. Those teams were drafting from Nos. 6-8. He declined workouts with the teams selecting from No. 3 through 5, causing his draft stock to fall.
All those teams, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Utah Jazz, wanted to consider the possibility of selecting arguably one of the best players in the draft. After he declined workouts, the 76ers and Hornets went in a different direction.
When it came to No. 5, the Jazz ignored what Ace Bailey or his agent requested and proceeded to draft him. As soon as the pick was announced, cameras captured the 18-year-old with a stunned reaction on his face.
He carried that reaction to the dias when usually draftees show their excitement to finally play in the NBA. Then, later, when standing with his family and his agent, he continued to look disappointed that he could not land on either of his preferred destinations.
With the 5th pick of the NBA Draft the @utahjazz select Ace Bailey (@AiriousB)!
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm LIVE on ABC & ESPN! pic.twitter.com/oxMD7wulTq
Although not as extreme, Bailey seemingly received the Shedeur Sanders treatment. The quarterback had similarly shown his disinterest with certain teams high up in the draft, and instead, was given a lesson in humility as he tumbled down to the 5th round.
Fans lose their minds as Ace Bailey’s Draft manipulation did not work out
Basketball fans watching the 2025 NBA Draft first could not believe that Ace Bailey, a player many consider to be the 2nd best prospect this year, to drop down past No. 4 overall. Then, for the Utah Jazz of all teams to draft him, sent them into splits.

The Rutgers star’s reaction was the icing on the cake, as it proved that a player cannot make demands before even entering the draft. Cooper Flagg, for instance, was not overtly thrilled that the Dallas Mavericks won the lottery.
However, he understood that it is what it is, and he has to work around it to first prove his hype. Fans believe this was the perfect karma as Ace Bailey now has to go to a place he did not want to be in the 1st place. Check out examples of those reactions below.
I’m crying bro this nga Ace Bailey boutta request a trade already pic.twitter.com/HBo8vVyo7D
— 𝔽𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕪 ⚡️ (@Fergycookedd) June 26, 2025
Remember when prospects were just happy to realise their dream and get drafted at all?
— Liam (@Clarkeyy23) June 26, 2025
Ace Bailey with Jazz fans in Utah pic.twitter.com/b0eFV0PVrX
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 26, 2025
Hope it humbled him and he learns to just play ball
— Jay (@JayHardy252) June 26, 2025
He's gonna play as he's told to he has no choice
— ChoZen (@ChoZenKun) June 26, 2025
Tried to manipulate the draft and ended up in Utah pic.twitter.com/EcH82vfnid
— Tęrräñøvå (Elly De La Cruz Propaganda Pusher) (@TerranovaNoah) June 26, 2025
deserved lol
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) June 26, 2025
he does not look happy man lmao
— DavisFC (@DavisFC2012) June 26, 2025
Ace Bailey seemingly will be stuck in Utah for the next 3 or 4 seasons. Unless the Jazz understand he does not want to play with them and trade him later to a team of his choice in return for high draft picks, it is unlikely that he will be able to leave.
Paul George had warned Ace Bailey of not making demands before getting drafted
Paul George‘s Philadelphia 76ers are one of the teams Ace Bailey decided not to work out for. The veteran star, knowing the inside out of those decisions, believes the Rutgers star was approaching the 2025 NBA Draft the wrong way.
If I’m Ace Bailey, I can’t get mad if my stock drops. He has cancelled all workouts. You are not in a position to be making those demands. Make it to the league 1st.
Paul George said on his podcast
PG sounds off on Ace Bailey skipping NBA Draft workouts 😳
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) June 24, 2025
"If I'm Ace Bailey, I can't get mad if my stock drops." pic.twitter.com/cgErJWCAgh
George added that he was sure it was Bailey’s family and agent who were behind these decisions. As an 18-year-old, he is not mature enough to decide what is right for him. Therefore, this method to force his way into a certain position was not the best way.
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