According to reports, Bailey did not participate in any private team workouts leading up to the draft outside of the NBA combine, an unusual choice that has sparked considerable scrutiny.

This unorthodox approach has generated criticism directed at Bailey and his representation over the past few days, prompting his agent to defend their strategy and push back against the negative commentary.

Ace Bailey’s Agent Responds Amid Pre-Draft Noise

Before draft night, the 6-foot-9 wing was widely viewed as the third-best prospect behind Cooper Flagg and his Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper. At one point, it appeared likely that Flagg would land with the Dallas Mavericks, Harper with the San Antonio Spurs, and Bailey with the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3.

However, the situation shifted when Bailey abruptly canceled a private workout with Philadelphia. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Tim Bontemps laterthat his representatives had also warned a team with a top-five pick not to draft him, suggesting he wouldn’t report if they selected him.

Omar Cooper, Bailey’s agent, defended their approach and vehemently rejected the notion that their strategy was unusual or problematic.

“Every NBA team watched him work out in Chicago,” Cooper told ESPN. “He did 18 interviews. Everyone got his medical. They watched him run and jump. They got his measurements.”

Cooper also pointed to historical precedent to support his argument: “No one said anything when Davion Mitchell canceled a workout with the Toronto Raptors. No one criticized Evan Mobley when he didn’t work out for Cleveland, and they drafted him anyway.”

He concluded his statement with a firm defense: “There is nothing uncommon about how Ace Bailey’s pre-draft process was handled.” Cooper then declined to address questions about the Jazz or Bailey’s future with the franchise.

Reports have indicated that Bailey’s preferred destinations were the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, and Brooklyn Nets, who held the No. 6, 7, and 8 picks, respectively. Instead, he was selected one spot ahead of those teams by the Jazz, potentially creating an awkward situation for all parties involved.

The narrative surrounding Bailey’s draft process has somewhat overshadowed his undeniable talent and basketball abilities.

At 6-foot-9, Bailey is a versatile forward who possesses elite scoring ability. During his freshman season at Rutgers, he showcased exceptional shot-making skills, averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. However, he averaged just 1.3 assists, indicating that improving his playmaking will be crucial for his development, especially given how frequently he handles the ball in offensive sets.

Despite experiencing a life-changing moment and achieving his dream of being drafted into the NBA, the accomplishment is being overshadowed by the controversial process that led to this point. Some reports have suggested that Bailey could create difficulties for the Jazz organization, though nothing has been confirmed beyond media speculation and industry rumors.