There was a fair amount of drama after the Utah Jazz drafted Ace Bailey. There were rumblings that Bailey did not want to play for the Jazz because of Utah. While that matter has been put to bed for now, Jazz alum Derrick Favors went out of his way to explain why Utah isn't as bad as people think.
Favors explained via his X account that, while he gets why players may be hesitant about playing in Utah, those who play there will enjoy their time there.
Being from the inner city of ATL (southside zone3 iykyk) I understand not wanting to go to Utah but it’s better than what you think. It’s not for everyone but if you give it a chance you’ll find gold
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) June 27, 2025
Favors was a fan favorite in Utah partly because of how strongly he embraced it from beginning to end. While technically not drafted by the team, Favors spent the majority of his NBA career with the Jazz. In fact, he was once thrust into this exact situation during his rookie year.
Back when the Brooklyn Nets were in New Jersey (it was their second to last year there before they moved), Favors spent half his rookie season there before he was unexpectedly traded to the Jazz in the Deron Williams deal.
Even though Favors grew to love his time with the Jazz, his tweet above hints at it not being an easy transition for him at first. Utah isn't exactly a place that NBA players prefer they would play at, particularly to start their NBA career. However, it didn't take much time for Favors to acclimate himself, and even to this day, Jazz fans still look back on his time with the team quite fondly.
Favors loved his time so much that he was more than happy to return to Utah when he became a free agent again in 2020. Even though the Jazz traded him in a salary dump the year afterward, he has made it clear how much he's loved his time in Utah since his career ended.
He was never a star, and Utah probably won't retire his number, but there are no Jazz fans who disliked Favors when it was all said and done. Even if his second go-round in Utah didn't go too great, that didn't impact the legacy he built with the Jazz.
From his story, Bailey has the chance to build that same legacy with the Jazz. Here's a good reason why.
Jazz fans will embrace Ace Bailey
All indications are that Bailey has no reservations about joining the Jazz. When he plays on opening night for the Jazz, you better believe the crowd will go wild for him. This isn't just because of how passionate Jazz fans are, but because Bailey gives them their most hope in three years.
No matter what reservations anyone may have about Utah or the Jazz fan base, they have a very strong fanbase that lets their star players know how loved they are. While many in Utah will remember Gordon Hayward for the infamous fallout, no one should forget Jazz fans chanting his name after he finished his last game with the team.
Utah Jazz fans chant future free agent Gordon Hayward's name after Warriors sweep the Jazz pic.twitter.com/0c0hsc3ARa
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 9, 2017
Even though it didn't change his free agency decision, that's the kind of attachment Jazz fans have to their stars. Favors got that same kind of love even if he never approached that level, and Bailey can too.
Utah is a better place for NBA players than most give it credit for, as Favors said, but Jazz fans are why Bailey will remember his time there, no matter how his career unfolds.