Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey is seeking a brand new supervisor. The No. 5 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft has parted methods with Omar Cooper, in keeping with The Athletic, and is in search of new illustration about three months after a saga that largely outlined the draft. Throughout a pre-draft course of that was not mild on drama, Bailey’s camp — led by Cooper — reportedly informed no less than one workforce close to the highest of the order that the previous Rutgers star wouldn’t report if they chose him.
Cooper’s involvement in Bailey’s pre-draft course of fell underneath the microscope as a result of he was not a licensed agent with the NBPA and subsequently barred from formally representing his consumer in contract negotiations.
Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, the latter of whom performed school basketball with Bailey at Rutgers, have been lengthy seen as locks to be the No. 1 and No. 2 picks, respectively. Bailey entered the draft as extremely considered any prospect exterior the highest two, however his illustration gave the impression to be steering him out of the highest 5. In line with Marc Stein, the Washington Wizards have been the goal vacation spot at decide No. 6.
The Dialog: Is Ace Bailey going to make the Jazz look good or boneheaded?
James Herbert
Bailey canceled a exercise with the Philadelphia 76ers, who held the No. 3 decide and there was hypothesis whether or not or not the Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) and Jazz (No. 5) have been keen to pick the previous five-star recruit.
The Jazz did, actually, scoop Bailey off the board with their first-round choice. However the drama surrounding Cooper didn’t cease after the draft.
Utah initially deliberate on having Cooper’s son, Omar Cooper Jr., function a visitor coach on its Summer time League employees. The NBA reportedly contacted the Jazz with issues, and the workforce known as off the plan.
All indications from Bailey himself counsel he’s locked in with the Jazz and glad to be a part of the franchise.
“Simply blessed to be on this place that I’m,” Bailey mentioned upon his arrival in Utah. “Not lots of people can sit in these chairs and have nice teammates that got here on with me. I am simply blessed to be right here.”
