Ace Bailey has been a name that has made a lot of headlines since he finished the NCAA season with Rutgers.
He performed brilliantly in college, averaging over 17 points a game, proving to be one of the best scorers in the 2025 Draft class.
The ESPN mock draft had him go third overall to the Philadelphia 76ers, but things took a turn in his pre-draft process that led him to slip down a few positions to the Utah Jazz, who had the fifth pick.
Philly were looking at him closely and even invited Ace Bailey for a workout, but he canceled it to force a move to another team.
Teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and the New Orleans Pelicans were all expected to draft him if he fell to a lower position on the day, but the Jazz decided to pick Bailey despite him clearly not wanting to be with the franchise.
An ESPN Insider has expressed his thoughts on the situation and drawn comparisons of this to Steph Curry’s draft process with the Warriors.
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesBailey’s draft debacle reminds Marc Spears of Steph Curry
Curry was drafted as the number seven overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.
However, his father Dell Curry and even the three-point king himself wanted to go to the New York Knicks, who had the 8th pick in the draft
They even denied their workout with the Warriors, but the franchise ended up drafting him and the rest is history.
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Spears drew comparisons of Curry’s situation to Bailey, who also did not want to be picked by the Jazz.
He tweeted: “Ace Bailey story reminds me about Stephen Curry‘s father and agent asking the Warriors not to draft him in 2009 with the seventh pick so he could go to the Knicks with the next pick.
“Steph also didn’t workout for Warriors. Undeterred Warriors GM Larry Riley drafted Steph anyways.
Spears added to this by saying: “Once drafted, Stephen Curry reported got [to] the Warriors without issue. It all worked out.”
Ace Bailey story reminds me about Stephen Curry‘s father and agent asking the Warriors not to draft him in 2009 with the seventh pick so he could go to the Knicks with the next pick. Steph also didn’t workout for Warriors. Undeterred Warriors GM Larry Riley drafted Steph anyways.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 27, 2025
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Ace Bailey will have to continue with the Jazz
While Ace Bailey‘s current game does not resemble Curry, he is coming off a better reputation from college than the four-time NBA champion.
His ability to score on all levels has helped him draw comparisons to some elite players, which is why teams were even ready to give up players for him.
In his draft day press conference, Bailey stated that he focused on playing basketball and let his team make the other decisions.
SeasonPoints ReboundsBlocksField goal %Three Point %2024-2517.67.21.346%36%
While Bailey may not be ready to be with the Jazz, the rookie has no choice, according to NBA Insider Shams Charania.
He will be playing on a young team coached by the talented Will Hardy, who has done a great job with the players they have at their disposal.
The team is expected to move a few of their star players, including Collin Sexton and John Collins, which will make more room for Bailey to take control.
He is already becoming one of the most talked about rookies, which is why all eyes will be on him when the season tips off in October.