The 2025 NBA Draft was supposed to be all about the league’s next generation of stars, and in many ways, it was. Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, the top two picks, dominated headlines and post-draft interviews.
But in a surprising twist, it’s Ace Bailey, the electrifying forward out of Rutgers University, who’s stealing the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. And at the center of the storm, his agent, Omar Cooper.
Fans Express Displeasure with Ace Bailey’s Agent
Just days before the draft, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Bailey, once seen as a near-lock for a top-three selection, could slip in the draft due to his agency’s questionable tactics during the pre-draft process. That report proved to be prophetic.
“Multiple league sources said Bailey’s agent, Omar Cooper, wanted the Sixers to commit to him before his scheduled Friday workout. One league executive believes that Bailey, once a consensus top-three pick, probably will drop in the draft because of his agency’s tactics,” wrote Pompey in his report.
On June 25, Bailey slid to the fifth overall pick, landing with the Utah Jazz, a team he reportedly was not hoping to join, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Bailey’s body language on stage said it all. He didn’t look thrilled, and fans were quick to take notice.
Cooper, Bailey’s agent, has since pushed back on the backlash. In his words, there was nothing unusual about their strategy and everything was handled within standard industry practices.
“There is nothing uncommon about how Ace Bailey’s predraft process was handled,” said Cooper to ESPN.
But fans aren’t buying it.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Bailey did not fly with fellow first-round pick Walter Clayton Jr. to Utah after being drafted. The optics of a newly drafted player potentially avoiding his new team are bad.
Although Bailey’s agency president later clarified that he’s looking forward to joining the Jazz and is excited for the opportunity, the mixed messaging hasn’t helped ease concerns. Fans are still skeptical and continue to voice frustration over Cooper’s role.
“Ace needs to find a new agent before his reputation is irreparably hurt, before he plays a single game. Might even be past that, but if he’s being advised not to show up to make a point fire the guy. He has no equity built up in the league,” wrote the user.
Ace needs to find a new agent before his reputation is irreparably hurt before he plays a single game.
Might even be past that, but if he’s being advised not to show up to make a point–fire the guy. He has no equity built up in the league.
— Fence the Garden NJ🪓⚔️ (@PutOnForJersey) June 27, 2025
In his lone season at Rutgers University, Bailey averaged 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, showcasing not only elite talent but also the kind of effort that says he just wants to hoop. The sentiment among fans is that Bailey himself isn’t the problem, but it’s the man guiding him.
“Ace Bailey wants to play basketball. His “agent” wants to make it about himself. Just an embarrassing couple of weeks for someone who’s certainly putting his own interests above his clients,” said another user.
Ace Bailey wants to play basketball.
His “agent” wants to make it about himself. Just an embarrassing couple of weeks for someone who’s certainly putting his own interests above his clients.
Good luck trying to convince him to not take the $41M…
— AJ (@AJ3Jazz) June 27, 2025
After a highly publicized attempt to steer Bailey away from Utah, he ended up exactly where his agency didn’t want him, making the entire saga feel unnecessary. Now, fans are saying the most obvious thing.
“Ace Bailey should fire his agent. They did all that not to go to the Jazz just to end up with the Jazz,” said one fan whereas another one said, “ACE BALEY PLEASE FIRE YOUR AGENT IMMEDIATELY.”
Ace Bailey should fire his agent. They did all that not to go to the Jazz just to end up with the Jazz.
— King (@Jetlife_Jack) June 26, 2025
While most fans were quick to pin the blame on Cooper and criticized him for mishandling the draft process, one user offered a different perspective, suggesting that it might not all be on the agent.
According to this viewpoint, it’s possible that Bailey himself was the driving force behind the decisions.
“He’s saying everything Ace WANTS him to, he’s not happy, I’m sure, but we KNEW this, he will report and they will win a chip in 2 years,” said the user.
Hes saying everything Ace WANTS him too, hes not happy im sure, but we KNEW this, he will report and they will win a chip in 2 years
— Stev Job (@LilTaxxpayer) June 27, 2025
As Bailey prepares to begin his professional career with the Utah Jazz, it remains to be seen what happens next.
