Ever since the Utah Jazz got the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Ace Bailey has been floated as their dream scenario if he's still available. It could be even more ideal than people think, as Bailey's reported desire to become a star could make Utah a perfect fit for him.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony revealed some intel on Bailey that somewhat sounds concerning. However, it also indirectly reveals why he would be perfect for the Jazz.
"Bailey's predraft workout strategy has perplexed some observers, as he has yet to conduct a single known workout to date, having declined invitations from several teams within his draft range. Sources say Bailey's camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft, but also seeks a clear pathway to stardom, perhaps feeling comfortable that a team will trade up to get him at Nos. 3 or 4, should he drop," Givony wrote.
Looking at the draft order, it is easy to understand why he might have some issues with the teams in the top four who could draft him. Dallas and San Antonio have win-now stars, so even if they didn't have the No. 1 or No. 2 pick, they wouldn't necessarily put Bailey in a position to succeed if they drafted him. Philadelphia will likely have the chance to draft him, but they are in the same boat as Dallas and San Antonio.
Charlotte is a little different because they are a young team with promising talent that could certainly use more. However, they have two good players who play the same position as Bailey: Brandon Miller and Ace Bailey.
The Jazz are different in this regard. They don't really have a player who plays that same position as him at wing - though they have Lauri Markkanen play there primarily because Walker Kessler and John Collins are too good to come off the bench - and they are a young team in need of a player with a superstar ceiling, so he would be well-equipped to become the player he thinks he
Being on a young team that lacks both a clear-cut wing and a centerpiece, the Jazz, on paper, would be the perfect team that could give Bailey the chance to be the star he thinks he can be. This intel about his approach, along with the red flags in his game, isn't exactly a good look, but Utah is in a position to make such a gamble in picking Bailey if the opportunity presents itself.
Further intel reveals another issue with Ace Bailey
In that same article, Jeremy Woo revealed that even though both sides would make sense for each other, Bailey isn't too keen on coming to Utah.
"Bailey, who continues sliding down the board in this scenario, doesn't appear to have much interest in Utah and is viewed by most teams as a riskier bet," Woo wrote.
If Bailey being a risk wasn't too big of a turnoff for the Jazz, his disinterest in starting his career there might be. The Jazz want players who want to play for them. If they take him, it signals they are willing to roll the dice on winning him over in due time.
All of this latest intel on Bailey can have glass half-empty, glaff half-full interpetation. If the Jazz have the chance to draft him, they will reveal how they see the situation when they announced who they pick at No. 5.