Ace Bailey’s attempt to maneuver his way to Washington, New Orleans or Brooklyn backfired when the Jazz selected him with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The Jazz plan to keep Bailey, according to Givony, even though they were not a “preferred” destination.

Ace Bailey has signed his rookie contract with the Utah Jazz. Bailey’s pre-draft process sparked a number of rumors about his interest in coming to Utah when the Jazz took him with the fifth overall pick in last month’s NBA Draft.

The fact that Bailey had yet to report to the Jazz as of Friday morning isn't necessarily a big deal. Dallas Mavericks No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg waited until Friday to join his new team. The Jazz's other pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Walter Clayton Jr., reportedly joined the team earlier.