“This Kid Is An Absolute Loser”: Ace Bailey Faces Intense Backlash After Skipping Flight With Fellow Draft Pick Amid Growing Concerns Over Utah Holdout
Ace Bailey’s highly unconventional pre- and post-draft behavior has stirred controversy, drawing harsh criticism from fans, analysts, and even former pros. After being selected fifth overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2025 NBA Draft, Bailey reportedly skipped the team-arranged flight that would have taken him and fellow first-rounder Walter Clayton Jr. to Utah for mandatory media appearances and practices. That decision sparked a torrent of backlash, with one fan on social media calling him a “f*****g loser” and others accusing him of acting entitled—“stop being a diva and HOOP!” (sportskeeda.com).
1. From Top Prospect to Polarizing Figure
At Rutgers, Bailey was widely considered a top‑five talent: a 6′8″ athletic wing averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds, earning Third‑Team All‑Big Ten and Big Ten All‑Freshman honors (reuters.com). But his draft process was anything but typical:
- He skipped all pre-draft team workouts, including Utah’s and All‑Star meetings (si.com, clutchpoints.com).
- He reportedly canceled a session with the 76ers and told some front offices not to draft him (new.cbssports.com).
- Fans took to social media, branding him as spoiled, immature, and disrespectful to the league and fans .
2. The Skipped Flight: Symbol of Disrespect?
Sources confirmed that Bailey opted not to board the flight with Clayton to Utah, raising red flags about his commitment to joining the team (sportskeeda.com). Utah usually provides new draftees with time to settle before reporting, but skipping the team-arranged flight is a visible slight. One fan expressed: “What a f*****g loser… setting a bad example for kids that look up to him” (sportskeeda.com).
3. Industry Voices Question His Tactics
Former NBA guard Paul George shot down Bailey’s off-court strategy:
“You’re not in a position to be making those demands. Make it to the league first.”
UBC alum and analyst also dismiss this, stating:
“Stop being a diva and HOOP!” (
Even ex-NFL star Dez Bryant waded into the conversation, calling the agent out by tweeting:
“Somebody go save Ace Bailey man.. hell naw .” (sportskeeda.com)
4. Jazz Front Office: Calm Amid the Storm
Despite the public outcry, Utah remains unfazed. Jazz President Austin Ainge downplayed Bailey’s posture as not unusual. They felt confident based on combine interactions and thorough tape analysis (si.com). Minority owner Dwyane Wade even endorsed the pick, tweeting:
“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” (profootballnetwork.com).
Utah clearly believes capability outweighs optics—and with a 17–65 record last season, they’re betting Bailey will revitalize the franchise (reuters.com).
5. What’s at Stake?
Financial & Contractual Consequences
Bailey’s holdout may have cost him nearly $9 million, dropping from a projected top‑three slot to No. 5, according to analysts (talksport.com).
Relationship With Utah
Trust between player and team is fragile. Public defiance—skipping flights, workouts—could sour relations before he takes a court step. Media and fans now watch whether he’ll report Saturday as promised .
Public Perception
He’s turned into a cautionary example for draft hopefuls: athleticism isn’t enough, respect and professionalism are vital .
6. Road to Redemption
Bailey will have to:
- Report to Utah promptly, as stated—reportedly set for Saturday, June 28—with media commitments on Sunday and first practice Monday (reuters.com).
- Embrace the process, working with established pros like Lauri Markkanen and the coaching staff.
- Let his performance speak, shifting the narrative from off‑court drama to on‑court excellence.
Final Take
Ace Bailey is walking a tightrope. His gamble to control his draft destination has backfired—costing him money, goodwill, and his reputation. Utah appears ready to stand firm and test his resolve. But if Bailey reports, buys in, and delivers on the court, he can still own this moment and flip public sentiment.
His first steps in Salt Lake City will define how this story unfolds: will he be the ambitious rookie in a rebuild—or the self-centered holdout who missed his chance?
