Ace Bailey's reps told team with top-five pick not to draft Rutgers wing: Report
In the lead-up to the NBA Draft, Ace Bailey's reps told a team with a top-five pick not to select the Rutgers wing — and that Bailey wouldn't report to the organization if it drafted him anyway — according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Tim Bontemps.
ESPN's report doesn't disclose which team in the top five Bailey's reps wanted to steer clear of the 6-foot-8 freshman.
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The Utah Jazz ended up picking Bailey No. 5 overall. The Jazz's new president of basketball operations, Austin Ainge, spoke with reporters Wednesday night and expressed excitement about landing a prospect of Bailey's caliber despite owning only the fifth selection after entering the lottery tied for the best No. 1 pick odds.
"He's great," Ainge said of Bailey, via ESPN. "We were able to speak with him. He was super excited. We're super excited. We're expecting a very bright future. His scoring gets a lot of attention, [and] deservedly so. He's very skilled for his size. But watching a lot of film on him, I was impressed with his defensive effort and particularly his rebounding. Lot of weak side block shots, and his joy and energy for the game."
Ainge, the son of longtime Boston Celtics executive and current Jazz CEO and alternate governor Danny Ainge, added: "We do a lot of background calls and work on guys, and everyone loves being around Ace."
Bailey, along with Florida guard and reigning national champion Walter Clayton Jr., are the latest newcomers to join a Jazz roster littered with youth.
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'I fit in good because we all young, so we all got a lot to learn,' Bailey said, via The Athletic. 'We can play with each other, get to know each other, how we play, how we fit in, what works, and then also, I don't know a lot about Utah, but I'm learning as we go.
"I know it's cold and it's hot. It get cold and it get hot here. Gotta find me a place with a good a good heater."
As for the other four teams in the top five, the Dallas Mavericks kicked off the draft by making Duke forward Cooper Flagg the youngest No. 1 overall pick since LeBron James in 2003. Then the San Antonio Spurs grabbed Bailey's Rutgers teammate, guard Dylan Harper, with the No. 2 overall pick.
Those two picks could have been written in Sharpie days before the draft.
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 9: Ace Bailey #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights shoots the ball as Dawson Garcia #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers defends during the second half at Jersey Mike's Arena on March 9, 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by)
(Ed Mulholland via Getty Images)
Things got interesting at No. 3, where the Philadelphia 76ers sat Wednesday night. Bailey, who chose not to participate in workouts with individual teams before the draft, notably canceled a scheduled visit with the Sixers earlier this month.
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Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey told reporters Wednesday night that Bailey's refusal to work out for the team didn't play a part in Philadelphia's decision to pick Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe.
At No. 4 overall, the Charlotte Hornets drafted Duke wing Kon Knueppel.
Bailey was the only U.S.-based prospect who didn't meet with a single team outside of the combine.
"Every NBA team watched him work out in Chicago," Bailey's agent, Omar Cooper, told ESPN. "He did 18 interviews. Everyone got his medical. They watched him run and jump. They got his measurements.
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Cooper continued, via ESPN: "No one said anything when Davion Mitchell canceled a workout with the Toronto Raptors. No one criticized Evan Mobley when he didn't work out for Cleveland, and they drafted him anyway."
"There is nothing uncommon about how Ace Bailey's pre-draft process was handled."
Approaching the draft, ESPN's Givony reported that the Washington Wizards at No. 6 overall, the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 7 overall and the Brooklyn Nets at No. 8 overall were preferred destinations for Bailey and his camp. The Wizards, in particular, were a popular landing spot for Bailey in mock drafts, including in Kevin O'Connor's for Yahoo Sports.
Bailey said Wednesday night he had "no idea" the Jazz were interested in drafting him, but they took him with the No. 5 overall pick.
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Without great size or playmaking at his age, he's a second-rounder for good reason. But the Pistons needed more shooting and now they got it. Chicago Bulls Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 12: F Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm Rd. 2, Pk. 25: B Lachlan Olbrich, Illawarra Hawks Advertisement A lot of people thought Essengue would go No. 7 or No. 8. Downhill attacking is his biggest asset. He went from someone to hack and put on the free-throw line to an improved FT shooter. He was was also a 3-point shooting liability who improved from there as well. Sometimes he looks like Giannis Antetokounmpo with the way he unfolds his long arms for scoop layups. Plus, he lives at the line: he had seven games with more than 10 free throws. Olbrich is a high-motor Aussie big who projects as a screen-and-dive reserve and plays with a tone-setting level of toughness that could keep him in a rotation. Good for the Bulls to find another guy with these qualities after acquiring Noa Essengue with their lottery pick. Southeast Division Orlando Magic Grade: B Draft picks Rd 1., Pk. 25: G Jase Richardson, Michigan State Rd 2., Pk. 2: F Noah Penda, Le Mans Sarthe Basket Advertisement Richardson ends up with the same team his father, Jason Richardson, played part his career for. The younger Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father. Jase didn't inherit his father's height or dunk contest athleticism though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside. Penda plays with a veteran's mind and a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense and high-level feel. It's a bit of a risk for Orlando though since Penda needs to improve his jumper to shine on the long-term. But his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation to build on. Atlanta Hawks Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 23: G Asa Newell, Georgia Advertisement It feels like a foundation is starting to build in Atlanta. Newell is a modern big who can pair nicely with the Hawks' pair of wings. If they keep Trae Young, he's got a lob threat with Newell, who is a dunk machine. This looks like a perfect prospect/team match. Even though he needs to improve his fouling habits, his energetic style is overall a positive on defense. The real question is what he becomes offensively: Will he ever develop his jumper? Or is he just a finisher? Miami Heat Grade: D+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 26: G Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois The Heat were probably hoping for Walter Clayton Jr. with this pick. For every beautiful assist Jakučionis had as a freshman, there's an equally ugly bone-headed turnover. He had 11 games this past season with more turnovers than made shots. 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Golden State Warriors Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 22: F Alex Toohey, Sydney Kings Rd. 2, Pk. 26: G Will Richard, Florida Landing with the Warriors is probably a best-case scenario for Toohey since he's a jack-of-all-trades forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball around. Playing in Golden State's motion could only amplify the Australian's best talents. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he's not someone who generates many of his own shots. Becoming a more reliable shooter will be the key for Toohey to carve out a consistent role for the Warriors. Advertisement Richard was a key player in Florida's run to the national championship behind his energetic defense and versatile shooting ability off the dribble. In the same way he shared creation responsibilities with Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton Jr., he projects as a strong fit for the Warriors, provided he can find consistency shooting off the catch. Sacramento Kings Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 24: F Nique Clifford, Colorado State Rd. 2, Pk. 12: B Maxime Raynaud, Stanford Clifford was a late bloomer in high school and in college. Once his jumper clicked, his game took off. He's not a point guard for the Kings, but he'll be a playmaker. He's a tough-as-nails wing who does it all and could fill a number of different roles as a plug-and-play option. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards, and scores from everywhere. But as a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high level competition despite his age. Advertisement Raynaud leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. He was ranked 15th on my board, making him a steal in my eyes here for the Kings. He fell to this point in the draft because of his age and concerns about his defense. Still, if he can figure out that end of the floor there's little reason to think the Frenchman won't carve out an NBA role. Phoenix Suns Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 10: B Khaman Maluach, Duke Rd. 2, Pk. 1: F Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's Rd. 2, Pk. 11: W Koby Brea, Kentucky Maluach was the highest upside player available on the board. He's a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. He logged only 1.3 blocks per game but deterred opponents from even sniffing the basket. Beyond dunking lobs at a frequent rate, he's a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. Such a raw skill set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn't start playing basketball until he was 13. Maluach's upside has him ranked in the top two or three on some team draft boards, and perhaps that was the case for the Suns. Advertisement Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so the Suns must feel confident in his ability to translate to the NBA. Brea drilled 43.4% of his 3s over five college seasons on 4.9 attempts per game; he projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought skill. In order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he'll need to make improvements to his athleticism, but his shooting is enough to keep him on the floor. Southwest Division Houston Rockets Grade: Not applicable Draft picks: Zero Memphis Grizzlies Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 11: W Cedric Coward, Washington State Rd. 2, Pk. 18: G Javon Small, West Virginia Rd. 2, Pk. 29: G Jahmai Mashack, Tennessee Advertisement What a way to replace Desmond Bane after he was traded away earlier this month. Coward has gone from a Division III player to a lottery pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. He made 41% of his catch-and-shoot 3s in three DI seasons, while also developing a versatile scoring skill set with post fadeaways and midrange pull-ups. But he brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision, versatile defense, and mature approach to the game that makes him the potential steal of the draft for the Grizzlies. Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body, thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He's a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside. Consider Small a point guard who can play alongside Ja Morant, or help fill the gaps alongside Scotty Pippen Jr. if Morant misses time again. Mashack is an excellent perimeter defender who does everything in his power to win games, plus he has the length to defend some wings. He's not a primary creator and he needs to improve his jumper. But his hard-nosed defense is enough for him to receive countless chances for the new age Grit and Grind Grizzlies. Dallas Mavericks Grade: A+ Draft pick Rd. 1, Pk. 1: F Cooper Flagg, Duke Flagg is officially a Mav, and he has a chance to be great enough to win back the fans. He can help Dallas in both the short-term and long-term as a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He's both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. As long as his jumper continues to fall like it did during his freshman year at Duke, he could play as a small forward next to Anthony Davis and another big. And with his size and versatility, he could play power forward in other lineups, too. There's no doubt he's going to produce. It's his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling. San Antonio Spurs Grade: A- Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 2: G Dylan Harper, Rutgers Rd. 1, Pk. 14: F Carter Bryant, Arizona If Cooper Flagg had never reclassified, Harper would be the consensus top pick with star upside because he's a big-bodied lefty combo guard who has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace. Now that he'll be sharing shot-creation responsibilities in San Antonio, he'll be able to use his 6-foot-11 wingspan to greater effect on the defensive end and also utilize his bruising interior finishing as a cutter on offense. But he made only 36.8% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and just 28.7% of his dribble jumpers, so his fit with De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle is a question. San Antonio is just about the perfect fit for Carter Bryant. He hits spot-up 3s, attacks closeouts, makes the right play, and busts his ass on defense. He'll have a simple role with room to grow over the years and will be a nasty frontcourt fit with Victor Wembanyama. New Orleans Pelicans Grade: B- Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 7: G Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma Rd. 1, Pk. 13: B Derik Queen, Maryland Rd. 2, Pk. 10: W Micah Peavy, Georgetown Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He's the best ball handler in this draft class, giving him a runway to become New Orleans' long-term primary shot-creator. But he was one of college basketball's youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. So he needs time to grow. All that said, he's a lottery pick because he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star. Conditioning is a concern for Queen. New Orleans is not the place I'd want to end up. He's got to figure out the jump shot as well. Unless he improves defensively, he could also be a matchup problem on that end of the floor. Queen is a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves, and crafty finishes. Peavy is a switchable wing stopper with NBA-ready defense, instincts and passing feel. Pair him with Herb Jones and Trey Murphy, and the Pelicans could have quite the trio of gritty wing defenders. If his improved jumper proves as real as it seemed during his senior season, he's a rotation-level player for a decade. Northwest Division Oklahoma City Thunder Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 15: B Thomas Sorber, Georgetown Rd. 2, Pk. 14: W Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern I think Sorber was the best overall big in this draft class who moved up to that spot late in the talent evaluation process. Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes, and gritty drop-coverage instincts. But to be more than a role player, he needs to tap into the flashes he shows as a shooter while also improving his perimeter defense. As is, he's the best overall big in the draft. Barnhizer is a smart, physical wing with disruptive defensive instincts. Offensively, he needs to improve his jump shot but passes the ball and finishes at the rim at a high level. If Thunder assistant coach Chip Engelland can have as much success turning Barnhizer into a reliable shooter as he has with his past projects as a shot doctor, then the Thunder may have a second-round steal here. Denver Nuggets Grade: Not applicable Draft picks: Zero Minnesota Timberwolves Grade: C- Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 17: B Joan Beringer, Cedevita Olímpija Rd. 2, Pk. 15: B Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets Beringer's one of the rawest projects in the entire draft. Makes you wonder what the T'wolves' plan is with the other bigs on the roster, notably Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Beringer dunks everything around the basket. He's a rim protector and has shown improvement in other aspects of his defense. An area he'll need to improve on is he was a hackable player you didn't fear sending to the free-throw line. He's a worker though, and wants to get better. What are the Timberwolves cooking up in the frontcourt behind Rudy Gobert? Or maybe … in place of Rudy Gobert? After Gobert was involved in trade discussions with the Suns for Kevin Durant, perhaps this is a signal that Minnesota is prepared to move on from the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn't offer much else at this stage of his career. Portland Trail Blazers Grade: C+ Draft pick Rd. 1, Pk. 16: B Hansen Yang, Qingdao Eagles This is the biggest shock of the draft so far. WOW. It's a fascinating pick from a fit standpoint: What does a Donovan Clingan/Hansen Yang frontcourt look like in Portland? Or are we gonna see a trade down with the Nets? Yang is a massive Chinese 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes well and cleans the glass. But how much his slow feet and lack of shooting range can be improved will determine whether he can stick in the pros. Utah Jazz Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 5: F Ace Bailey, Rutgers Rd. 1, Pk. 18: G Waler Clayton Jr., Florida Rd. 2, Pk. 23: W John Tonje, Wisconsin Well, Bailey didn't get what he wanted by landing with the Jazz. There's a reason why he fell to No. 5. This is a huge upside swing, but Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. He had 39 points against Indiana, 37 against Northwestern, and 30 against Penn State, showing an ability to have masterful performances in which he can't be stopped. But his raw edges as a shot creator and defender need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star. Along with Bailey, the addition of Clayton makes the Jazz look like the funnest League Pass team next season. Clayton is clutch and looked like Steph Curry at times. He's also a culture creator. I'm very intrigued with what the Ainges are doing in Utah's front office. Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment, as we saw with him fueling the Gators to a national championship. Tonje will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade skills as an off-ball movement scorer and shooter. His athletic ceiling and defense will determine if he's more than just a backup.
