Latest news with #UtahJazz
Fox News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Jazz Owner Says Ace Bailey 'is coming to Utah' on Saturday
In 1999's "Office Space," Initech employee Peter Gibbons told Joanna that he didn't "like" his job and he wasn't "going to go anymore." In the case of former Rutgers star Ace Bailey, it seemed like he may just not show up to play for the Utah Jazz on Day 1. However, after a short-lived game of chicken, Bailey gave in and plans to report to Utah — as expected — on Saturday, team owner Ryan Smith said. Utah selected Bailey with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but it was reported on the live broadcast of the draft that the 6-foot-10 prospect didn't have the Jazz as a "preferred destination." Bailey also didn't conduct a workout with a single team in the draft process. Therefore, doubt grew over whether he'd report to the Jazz's summer league training camp. While he hasn't officially set foot in Utah, the Jazz brass seem confident the chaos is over and Bailey will be a cooperative member, and a key part of their future. Here's everything that unfolded with the saga between Bailey and the Jazz that ultimately ended how the team expected it to. Bailey was a five-star recruit who played one year at Rutgers. In his freshman season, the still-18-year-old Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and one steal per game, while shooting 46.0/34.6/69.2. Bailey earned All-Big Ten honors. Outside of taking Bailey at No. 5, Utah acquired the No. 18 pick to select Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. and selected Wisconsin guard John Tonje with the No. 53 pick. Clayton reportedly arrived in Salt Lake City prior to the weekend, whereas Bailey held out until the weekend. Bailey was present at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. However, he didn't have a workout with any team in the weeks leading up to the draft, with speculation that he wanted to fall to a team in the bottom part of the top-10. He even canceled a scheduled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, who had the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. There was "minimal contact" between Bailey and the Jazz in the days after he was drafted, according to an ESPN report. But, the team remained confident that he'd be present in Utah by Monday. Furthermore, Bailey's camp informed one team picking in the top-five that he wouldn't report if they drafted him, though, it's unknown if the Jazz were that team. However, now that drama seems like a rumor of the past. New Jazz president Austin Ainge spoke glowingly of Bailey. "He's great. We were able to speak with him. He was super excited. We're super excited. We're expecting a very bright future," Ainge said of Bailey on Thursday, according to ESPN. "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 weakside block shots, and his joy and energy for the game. We do a lot of background calls and work on guys, and everyone loves being around Ace." The unofficial start of NBA free agency is Monday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET, which is when teams can begin negotiating with the agents of players who were not previously under contract with them. On the team front, Utah's Salt Lake City Summer League kicks off on July 5, and Bailey should have a huge role for them in that process. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Report: No. 5 pick Ace Bailey plans to report to Jazz Saturday
June 27 - After an unconventional approach to the 2025 NBA Draft that saw his stock take a slight dip to land at No. 5, Ace Bailey will report Saturday to his new team, the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN. "We've had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives," a Jazz representative told ESPN Friday. "We feel good about everything. Ace and his family are coming to Utah tomorrow. We'll have a press conference Sunday and a practice Monday. "This has always been the plan, including for our other rookies, Walter Clayton and John Tonje -- to let them go home and collect their belongings, and then fly right to summer league from Salt Lake City." Bailey took a sometimes confounding and confusing route to Wednesday's draft. A freshman 18-year-old with one season at Rutgers and a McDonald's All-American resume before that, multiple NBA teams attempted to get to know Bailey the player, person and prospect a little bit better in the five weeks leading up to the draft. But Bailey canceled all public workouts with teams, a stance that surprised some established NBA players and may have contributed to Bailey going from being projected in the top three to being taken with the No. 5 pick. However, Bailey's agent, Omar Cooper, argued there was "nothing uncommon" about how the pre-draft was handled. "Every NBA team watched him work out in Chicago," Cooper said, per ESPN. "He did 18 interviews. Everyone got his medical. They watched him run and jump. They got his measurements. They watched him shoot in drills. "No one said anything when Davion Mitchell canceled a workout with the Toronto Raptors for the No. 4 pick. No one criticized Evan Mobley when he didn't work out for Cleveland, and they drafted him anyway." Utah's decision to pick Bailey is one that Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge said was extremely simple despite public concern about Bailey's refusal to work out for teams before the draft. "We do a lot of background calls and work on guys and everyone loves being around Ace," Ainge said. "He's fun, smiles every day. Just a breath of fresh air in the gym. We were able to speak with him. He was super excited. We're super excited. We're expecting a very bright future." A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in 2024-25 for Rutgers. --Field Level Media
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
2025 NBA Draft- Ace Bailey hasn't reported to the Utah Jazz after being drafted as overall number 5
Ace Bailey, Image via Getty Images After being selected as number 5 during the first phase of the 2025 NBA draft, Ace Bailey has become a hot topic of discussion. The young basketball star has diverted attention for his out-of-the-box approach towards his new team Utah Jazz. According to multiple media outlets, Ace Bailey hasn't reported to the Utah Jazz after being drafted as number 5 to the team. The speculation around his slow move towards the Utah Jazz has left his fans and NBA analysts confused. He has become a topic of discussion on social media, and his commitment towards his new team has come under scrutiny. Everything you need to know about Ace Bailey and the Utah Jazz post 2025 NBA draft scenes Ace Bailey has diverted the media attention for all the wrong reasons. According to recent reports, the young and athletic basketball star has not reported to the Utah Jazz after being drafted. This particular development comes into play after Ace Bailey refused to work out with individual teams ahead of the 2025 NBA draft. Just before the NBA draft, it was reported that Ace Bailey's preferred landing spots did not include the Utah Jazz. Despite being selected by the Utah Jazz with the No.5 overall pick, Bailey's representatives made it clear that a few teams are out of his preference list. After cancelling a meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers prior to the 2025 NBA draft, Ace Bailry went on to give a neutral stance on his approach. He said- "I can control what I control. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Short-Term Trades Need Real Direction Teji Mandi Buy Now Undo How they feel [is] how they feel." The situation has only become more unclear since then. After Day 2 of the 2025 NBA Draft, Omar Cooper, the manager of former Rutgers star Bailey, declined to comment when questioned about his future with Utah. However, if Ace Bailey opts not to report to Utah Jazz, he would be ineligible to play in the NBA for the 2025 season. Reportedly, he can play overseas but cannot return to college basketball. Also Read: 'Actually Surprised'- Fans react to Rutgers star Ace Bailey joining Utah Jazz after snubbing popular NBA teams Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ace Bailey fuels Utah Jazz holdout speculation following NBA Draft surprise
Ace Bailey has fueled speculation that he will holdout from the Utah Jazz, with the ex-Rutgers star reportedly yet to report to his new team. Bailey did not work out for Utah ahead of the draft, and the franchise was not one of his 'preferred destinations', ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported previously. Bailey later said on draft night that he had 'no idea' Utah were interested in him at No. 5. On Friday, Givony's ESPN colleague Brian Windhorst revealed on SportsCenter that Bailey has had 'minimal contact' with the Jazz, who expect him to be in Salt Lake City by the start of summer league training camp on Monday. Meanwhile, Bailey's new teammate and fellow-first round pick Walter Clayton Jr. has already reported to the Jazz, Windhorst said on Thursday night. 'The Jazz have said [Bailey not reporting yet] is not an issue, they allow their new players to go home,' Windhorst said on the late-night edition of SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. 'But he will be expected to be there on Monday when their summer league training camp begins. So, let's see.' Brian Windhorst: "Danny Ainge & his son, Austin, are not gonna bend here. They are not gonna get pushed around." SVP: "This seems kinda ridiculous to me. [Ace Bailey is] good, but he's not this good. To be trying to dictate to people don't take me. Like, what the hell is that?" — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 27, 2025 Windhorst added that Utah Jazz CEO and his son, newly-hired president of basketball operations Austin, 'are not gonna bend' when it comes to a potential holdout from Bailey. 'They are not gonna get pushed around... the idea that they're gonna pressure the Jazz into something, I don't think will be successful for Ace Bailey and his operation. But let's see how the next 72 hours plays out,' he said. Prior to the draft, Givony reported that Bailey's agent, Omar Cooper, had told at least one team in the top five that Bailey would not report if they decided to draft him. It's unclear if that team was the Jazz. Bailey was reportedly trying to engineer himself being drafted by the Wizards, Pelicans or Nets, who all drafted after the Jazz. Amid the latest reports regarding Bailey, a representative from his agency insisted on Friday that he's 'thrilled' to be going to Utah. Bailey's agent Cooper is not certified by the NBAPA, so the forward is also being represented by GSE Worldwide. 'Obviously it's an honor to be selected in the top 5 of the NBA Draft, and we think he can do a lot of great things out there, GSE president Andrew Witlieb told FOS Today. 'He certainly should get a ton of playing time and he'll have a lot of chances to show what he can do, so we think it's a great situation for him basketball wise.' Wittlieb did note that the pre-draft process, in which Bailey chose not to work out with any teams, was 'led' by Cooper. 'Omar really focused more on fit than going third in the draft kind of thing,' Wittlieb said. While the Jazz did not get the chance to workout Bailey in person, they badly need an injection of talent on their roster after winning just 17 games last year. They'll hope that changes with Clayton Jr. and (hopefully) Bailey on the roster.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Draft night steals, dumbest trades, Ace Bailey's future + Masai FIRED
KOC and Tom Haberstroh break down ALL of the fallout from the 2025 NBA Draft, including the big news that Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors were parting ways. Both of the guys weigh in on the strange timing of that move. And speaking of moves, what was Joe Dumars thinking with the Pels trade-up to get Derik Queen? Tom says it must be the dumbest trade of the last DECADE! And KOC/Tom discuss Lottery winner Nico Harrison's quote about fortune favoring the bold, plus of course all of the latest talk surrounding the AWKWARD situation surrounding Ace Bailey and the Utah Jazz — plus so much more. Lock in! Ace Bailey (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted fifth overall by the Utah Jazz during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by) (Photo by) (0:57) Ace Bailey Utah Jazz drama Advertisement (13:24) Raptors fire Masai Ujiri (20:49) Did Pelicans make a HORRIBLE trade for Derik Queen? (29:29) KOC's favorite draft hauls (44:19) Pacers surprise draft of Taelon Peter (49:12) NBA champs OKC draft Thomas Sorber (52:53) Teams looking to take 'the next step' (56:53) Blazers draft Yang Hansen (1:02:03) BetMGM Rookie of the Year odds released (1:05:26) Are Mavs NBA title contenders now? 🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts
