The Utah Jazz pulled off a “stunner” in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, according to one draft analyst.
The Jazz had the No. 5 overall pick and used it to select former Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey. Speaking on ESPN after the pick, draft analyst Jonathan Givony described the pick as a “stunner.” The reason has to do with Bailey’s preferences.
According to Givony, Bailey did not work out for any NBA teams prior to the draft. He was the only US-based prospect not to work out for a team. Givony further reported that Bailey wanted to be drafted by Brooklyn, New Orleans or Washington.
“This is a little of a stunner,” Givony said.
Even though Bailey did not prefer to go to Utah, the Jazz are viewed as a good landing spot for him. The Jazz are rebuilding and went 17-65 last season, which was the worst record in the league.
Some people thought that Bailey exhibited signs that he was not happy to be drafted by the Jazz.
Lmao. Ace Bailey looks so depressed right now after getting drafted by the Utah Jazz… the team he didn’t want to go to 😭 pic.twitter.com/0XPL5mdZIj
— RashticReport (@RashticReport) June 26, 2025
Will the Jazz keep Bailey or trade him elsewhere? New president of basketball operations Austin Ainge apparently does not care about preferences.
Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season, which was his first with Rutgers.
