Early indications are that the Utah Jazz are happy with what they got from the draft lottery because they can still get an exciting prospect. Even with the No. 5 pick, they still have an outside chance at someone like Ace Bailey. His upside is obvious, so while the Jazz should do everything they can to get him, there's one line they shouldn't cross.
In most mock drafts published since the lottery, Bailey is projected to go third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, which puts him out of the Jazz's range. The Philadelphia 76ers own that pick, which makes many curious about what they do with it, seeing as they had playoff aspirations which came short because of injuries.
That could open the door for the Jazz to get him, and it's not mere speculation that they want him. ESPN's Jeremy Woo revealed that the Jazz and Charlotte Hornets are keeping their eyes on Bailey
"The way the lottery played out didn't necessarily help Bailey, but his range remains narrow. The possibility that Philadelphia, angling to win more games next season, opts to go a different direction could move him down the board a spot or two, with Charlotte and Utah likely to look hard should he be available -- and his upside might become too difficult to pass on," Woo wrote.
That could lead to many possibilities. Bailey may fall to No. 5 if all goes right, or the Sixers might take him and try to see what they can get out of him. If the latter happens, the Jazz need to get in on it, but must not offer the fifth pick at all costs.
The Jazz have plenty to offer for Bailey besides the fifth pick
There's a solid chance Bailey winds up being the third-best player in the draft behind Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper. It's not even entirely out of the question that he could wind up better than them or in the same conversation. However, his upside isn't high enough for Utah to trade from No. 5 for No. 3 primarily because there's a pool of prospects after him who could be as good as or better than him.
In a perfect world, the Jazz should do everything possible to end Draft Night with the No. 3 and No. 5 picks. It's why a speculated trade between the Jazz and Sixers does make sense on some level, but on the Jazz's side, they won't want to part with No. 5 because it's still a good asset that fits their timeline.
But they still have a lot to offer Philadelphia that could be appealing. They should offer Lauri Markkanen. They should offer to take Paul George off the Sixers' hands. They have plenty of first-round picks. They have young players who could appeal to Philadelphia. They have veteran players on expiring deals.
Now, all of that is worth a trade for Bailey on Utah's side, but it's up in the air as to whether it's enough for Philadelphia. Perhaps a deal between the two sides alone might not be enough. If the Sixers can't agree on a deal that excludes the fifth pick, get a third team involved.
Bailey is definitely the high-upside wing the Jazz should target. He just shouldn't come at the cost of another highly talented player in this class.