The Utah Jazz raised eyebrows by taking Rutgers freshman forward Ace Bailey with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. It was a decision many considered both unexpected and divisive. Once viewed a near-lock for the top three, Bailey had earned widespread praise for his elite athleticism, scoring instincts and two-way potential.
Though some mock drafts had him slipping further down the board, the Jazz kept him inside the top five. The move signals Utah’s intent to chase a future franchise centerpiece, even if it came with considerable risk.
Utah Jazz Roll the Dice on Ace Bailey Earlier Than Expected in 2025 NBA Draft
The Jazz surprised many by selecting Bailey at No. 5 despite the forward declining pre-draft workouts and meetings with Utah, Philadelphia, and Charlotte. Still, the Jazz front office believed they had seen enough from Bailey to move forward confidently.
“Ace is extremely talented — shot maker, big, long, athletic,” said Austin Ainge, Utah’s new president of basketball operations. “His scoring gets a lot of attention, certainly… but watching a lot of film of him, was impressed with his defensive effort and particularly his rebounding.”
Bailey, who averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game at Rutgers while shooting 46.0% from the field and 34.6% from deep, brings physical tools few others in the class can match. At 6’8″ with a 7’0″ wingspan, his profile fits the mold of a modern two-way wing.
However, the pick was met with mixed reviews. PFSN, for instance, graded it a C.
“Utah’s offense ranked 24th in efficiency last season. A move toward league average is certainly a possibility in short order,” PFSN wrote.
PFSN also cited concerns over Bailey’s shot selection and ball-handling.
“There are game maturity issues to overcome,” they added, referencing his tendency to force shots and commit turnovers at Rutgers.
The Jazz, who posted a league-worst 17–65 record last season and have now gone three straight years without winning 40 games, are clearly in the early stages of a rebuild. With Bailey, they are taking a chance on long-term talent rather than a polished contributor.
Still, support came swiftly from within the organization.
“When you can get a player as talented as ACE with the 5th pick you don’t overthink it, you do it! Good job @utahjazz,” wrote Dwyane Wade on X. Wade is a part owner of the Jazz.
When you can get a player as talented as ACE with the 5th pick you don’t over think it, you do it! Good job @utahjazz
– DWade (@DwyaneWade) June 26, 2025
USA Today issued a slightly more optimistic B- grade. They called it a “high-risk, high-reward pick” and suggesting Bailey will “earn plenty of opportunities to play through his mistakes.”
That approach fits Utah’s youth movement, with Bailey joining recent first-round picks Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Isaiah Collier alongside Lauri Markkanen, who remains under contract for five more years. The Jazz believe they’ve landed a future star, but critics warn it may take time to see whether that gamble pays off.
