The behavior displayed by Ace Bailey before getting drafted by the Utah Jazz has stirred up a debate among the basketball community. After finishing his freshman season with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and establishing himself as one of the best young prospects in the country, Bailey was unwilling to work out with several teams heading into the 2025 NBA Draft.
It soon became clear that Bailey did not prioritize his draft position and was attempting to control which team selected him. However, things did not go as he may have hoped after the Jazz selected him with the fifth pick in the draft.
Bailey’s attitude and approach to the start of his professional career compelled Peter Rosenberg, a prominent radio and television show host and analyst, to share his feelings on the subject.
Peter Rosenberg Criticizes Ace Bailey’s Entitlement During NBA Draft
Upon hearing that Bailey was unwilling to work out with teams that had shown clear interest in him, many wondered how his decision would impact his draft position. The Utah Jazz decided to take the risk of selecting a star who did not want to be there and chose to draft him.
Rosenberg did not approve of Bailey’s methods of trying to control his future. During a recent episode of First Take, he attacked Bailey for his recent actions and behavior.
“Of course I am all for kids who work incredibly hard, many of them coming from tough financial circumstances, being able to have an incredible NBA career and make tons of money,” Rosenberg stated. “That being said, the entitlement is corny to me. The ‘I’m going to work a way to dictate where I go.’ As if there’s a place in this league where you’re not going to make tons of money to play basketball,” he added.
“Whether your name’s Archie Manning or Deion Sanders or you just have a team that’s meddling, I don’t think it’s cool. I genuinely think its whack.”@Rosenbergradio did not hold back his thoughts on the way Ace Bailey went about getting drafted to the NBA 👀 pic.twitter.com/tubRHbLsh4
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 27, 2025
Rosenberg concluded, “Preference? Absolutely. That’s just called being logical. But his team deserves a congratulations. You played yourself because you look ridiculous now. Now everyone knows you didn’t want to go there, and you probably end up in the least ‘desirable’ place that you could end up. Whether your name’s Archie Manning or Deion Sanders or you just have a team that’s meddling, I don’t think it’s cool. I genuinely think it’s whack.”
Some fans will know that National Football League stars such as Archie Manning and Deion Sanders attempted to control where their sons would be drafted and were successful in doing so. Although Bailey has no familial connection or influence of that nature, he attempted to do the same thing.
In any case, many remain conflicted on this subject. While most fans believe that Bailey is behaving in an entitled manner and got what he deserved, others remember that a few NBA stars, such as Kobe Bryant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, did the same thing many years ago in an attempt to control their own futures.
While Bailey might not turn into a future Most Valuable Player or National Basketball Association champion, his desire to control where he was drafted cannot be entirely blamed. Only time will tell if he gets accustomed to playing for the Jazz or tries to force his way out with the first chance he is given.
