Welcome Ace Bailey!

Post #21 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Fri Jun 27, 2025 9:11 pm

Some new information in this video:

1. He told one team not to draft him (not new).
2. He declined to work out for Utah (not new, he declined to work out for everyone).
3. He told a team (or teams) that he wouldn't report if they drafted him.
4. He didn't fly to Utah with WCJ.

We'll find out pretty soon if there is an issue or not.

Watch on YouTube

EDIT:

The Jazz also confirmed Bailey's intent to report to the team ahead of Summer League.

"We've had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives," the Jazz told ESPN. "We feel good about everything. Ace and his family are coming to Utah tomorrow. We'll have a press conference Sunday, and a practice Monday."

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281039/Ace-Bailey-Thrilled-To-Play-For-Jazz-New-Rep-Confirms

stitches · Post #22 » by **stitches** » Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:10 pm

Inigo Montoya wrote:Some new information in this video:

1. He told one team not to draft him (not new).
2. He declined to work out for Utah (not new, he declined to work out for everyone).
3. He told a team (or teams) that he wouldn't report if they drafted him.
4. He didn't fly to Utah with WCJ.

We'll find out pretty soon if there is an issue or not.

Watch on YouTube

EDIT:
The Jazz also confirmed Bailey's intent to report to the team ahead of Summer League.

"We've had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives," the Jazz told ESPN. "We feel good about everything. Ace and his family are coming to Utah tomorrow. We'll have a press conference Sunday, and a practice Monday."

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281039/Ace-Bailey-Thrilled-To-Play-For-Jazz-New-Rep-Confirms

He will report in Utah tomorrow from what I'm reading. This is being confirmed by Utah representatives. His official agent gave an interview where he said he was "thrilled" to be part of the Jazz:

Read on Twitter

And his manager(who seems to be the guy behind all the commotion and the whole attempt to guide him to Washington) seems to be finally on board too:

This looks like a done deal to me. This specific drama should be over. Now the question remains if this manager/fake agents is good news for Ace and his development long-term. To me it looks like he's been giving Ace some horrible advice and I'm not sure this stops here. I hope Ace and his family sees through this sleazeball and cut him off and put their trust in a reputable agent/agency.

One_and_Done · Post #23 » by **One_and_Done** » Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:23 pm

I mean, it's 'done' in the sense that under the CBA he has no recourse. I don't think his feelings have changed at all. Like most NBA players, he doesn't want to be in Utah.

Personally I'd love to spend some time in a cabin in Utah overlooking the snow, but it would be naive to think most players feel that way. Utah is choice 30/30. If anything it's surprising this sort of thing doesn't happen more often to certain markets.

I'm also not sure how the advice of his management was 'horrible'. It almost worked. Your client doesn't want to be in Utah, and you almost delivered on that.

stitches · Post #24 » by **stitches** » Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:30 pm

One_and_Done wrote:I mean, it's 'done' in the sense that under the CBA he has no recourse. I don't think his feelings have changed at all. Like most NBA players, he doesn't want to be in Utah.

Personally I'd love to spend some time in a cabin in Utah overlooking the snow, but it would be naive to think most players feel that way. Utah is choice 30/30. If anything it's surprising this sort of thing doesn't happen more often to certain markets.

I'm also not sure how the advice of his management was 'horrible'. It almost worked. Your client doesn't want to be in Utah, and you almost delivered on that.

Well, unless we want to give away our team to Los Angeles or New York, we don't have a choice... just do the best you can to show the guy love and support, do your best to build a contender around him... do your best to develop him into a superstar... do your best to make him second guess himself when the time comes for him to make a choice about his 3d contract. And if he still chooses another team... oh well... so be it, at least you did your best. This is the reality of small market teams.

Post #25 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:31 pm

One_and_Done wrote:I mean, it's 'done' in the sense that under the CBA he has no recourse. I don't think his feelings have changed at all. Like most NBA players, he doesn't want to be in Utah.

Personally I'd love to spend some time in a cabin in Utah overlooking the snow, but it would be naive to think most players feel that way. Utah is choice 30/30. If anything it's surprising this sort of thing doesn't happen more often to certain markets.

I'm also not sure how the advice of his management was 'horrible'. It almost worked. Your client doesn't want to be in Utah, and you almost delivered on that.

He is getting negative press nationwide and it puts unnecessary pressure on him.

One_and_Done · Post #26 » by **One_and_Done** » Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:35 pm

Inigo Montoya wrote:
One_and_Done wrote:I mean, it's 'done' in the sense that under the CBA he has no recourse. I don't think his feelings have changed at all. Like most NBA players, he doesn't want to be in Utah.

Personally I'd love to spend some time in a cabin in Utah overlooking the snow, but it would be naive to think most players feel that way. Utah is choice 30/30. If anything it's surprising this sort of thing doesn't happen more often to certain markets.

I'm also not sure how the advice of his management was 'horrible'. It almost worked. Your client doesn't want to be in Utah, and you almost delivered on that.

He is getting negative press nationwide and it puts unnecessary pressure on him.

If he performs, or forces a trade, it won't matter.

It's vital for the CBA that he not succeed in forcing a trade, but I can understand why he's acting this way.

babyjax13 · Post #27 » by **babyjax13** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:44 am

Pre draft there was an anonymous player/agent that did not want to play with Lamelo in Charlotte. Then we heard there was a team in the top 5 Ace would not report to. Today LaMelo commented on Ace's Instagram post with a clown emoji. Just... speculating.

babyjax13 · Post #28 » by **babyjax13** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 7:12 am

Watch on YouTube

TheBlackCzar · Post #29 » by **TheBlackCzar** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 7:45 am

It won't surprise me if he signed with Washington after his rookie deal is up so maybe y'all did us a favor.....

babyjax13 · Post #30 » by **babyjax13** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 7:56 am

TheBlackCzar wrote:It won't surprise me if he signed with Washington after his rookie deal is up so maybe y'all did us a favor.....

He will be a restricted free agent at that time, so if he is any good, no.

red4hf · Post #31 » by **red4hf** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 10:09 am

TheBlackCzar wrote:It won't surprise me if he signed with Washington after his rookie deal is up so maybe y'all did us a favor.....

So, you're looking forward to him signing with WAS 9 years from now? LOL......

stitches · Post #32 » by **stitches** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:52 pm

Ace is not just on board with the Jazz... He's on board with the TANK:

He knows the mission. Lets go!

Post #33 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 6:39 pm

AJ Dybantsa to the Jazz confirmed.

Man, that would be insane.

pickIBL · Post #34 » by **pickIBL** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 8:16 pm

I don't have time to post as often, but felt compelled to jump on for this one. After college I seriously considered a career as a sports agent. I had developed the connections to represent some decent players. Granted I was heading to Switzerland for a FIBA license which is a bit different than the NBA. But regardless, the more I saw of the business side of things the more of a distaste for the sport I got. I've been able to find success in business elsewhere which really is for the best. I suppose it's kinda like someone working at a fast food restaurant and then they kinda lose their taste for things.

I enjoyed playing sports growing up. I still enjoy watching when I can. And it's great to see C. Clark make something viable I honestly never thought could be viable.

So Bailey's "manager" is indeed bad news. His certified agents recongize and are saying the right things. They clearly see Utah is a great spot for him to do what he wants to do (shoot the basketball).

I see two paths forward here. One is the Jazz just plug him into the system and try to develop him as normal because he isn't walking away from 30 million dollars and a career in the NBA. The second option is to hold him hostage for a trade with talent to showcase plus draft compensation from the Nets or another team coming back.

Ainge is the type to force the kid to play in Utah. He's also the type to bank tons of draft compensation. So either kinda works.

There is a reason Lauri Markkanen fits in Utah. Her name is Verna Aho. Donovan Mitchell is learning that leaving Utah probably didn't play out as well he thought. Carmelo admitted the same with the Denver situation.

If Utah being predominately white or "different" is a problem, then I think it should factor into drafting. If Utah not having as good of night clubs and strip clubs is a problem for the the prospect. I think it should be a factor for the Jazz in their selections.

The Jazz can build a team around guys that recognize that Utah is a nice place without distractions. It is a good place for a young guy or a vet that wants to focus on basketball and have a good quality of a life. And if that's a problem, then that's on the prospect.

I've said it for years. The focus should be on finding players that fit Utah and don't care about strip clubs. That probably means a heavier focus on international players. But it can of course be a domestic who fits the bill. And if there is a high level prospect that doesn't, then you draft him and hold him hostage for a trade. You don't pass. That's what the organization did.

If the kid gets his head screwed on straight he could be the best to come out of this draft. But he hasn't earned the right to force anything or demand anything. So it's up to Utah to figure out if they can put him on the right path to future success or to trade him to the highest bidder.

Post #35 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 10:40 pm

pickIBL wrote:If Utah being predominately white or "different" is a problem, then I think it should factor into drafting. If Utah not having as good of night clubs and strip clubs is a problem for the the prospect. I think it should be a factor for the Jazz in their selections.

The Jazz can build a team around guys that recognize that Utah is a nice place without distractions. It is a good place for a young guy or a vet that wants to focus on basketball and have a good quality of a life. And if that's a problem, then that's on the prospect.

I've said it for years. The focus should be on finding players that fit Utah and don't care about strip clubs. That probably means a heavier focus on international players. But it can of course be a domestic who fits the bill. And if there is a high level prospect that doesn't, then you draft him and hold him hostage for a trade. You don't pass. That's what the organization did.

I think the solution is pretty simple: the Jazz should just build and sponsor a dedicated, high-end strip club aimed at professional athletes. Ryan Smith certainly has the money for it. Problem solved. 8-)

jazzvintage · Post #36 » by **jazzvintage** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 10:40 pm

I guess we're so used to our relative bad luck, bad decisions, that it's become hard to accept that might be this time Jazz brass performed just as well as they appear to.

pickIBL · Post #37 » by **pickIBL** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 11:58 pm

Inigo Montoya wrote:
pickIBL wrote:If Utah being predominately white or "different" is a problem, then I think it should factor into drafting. If Utah not having as good of night clubs and strip clubs is a problem for the the prospect. I think it should be a factor for the Jazz in their selections.

The Jazz can build a team around guys that recognize that Utah is a nice place without distractions. It is a good place for a young guy or a vet that wants to focus on basketball and have a good quality of a life. And if that's a problem, then that's on the prospect.

I've said it for years. The focus should be on finding players that fit Utah and don't care about strip clubs. That probably means a heavier focus on international players. But it can of course be a domestic who fits the bill. And if there is a high level prospect that doesn't, then you draft him and hold him hostage for a trade. You don't pass. That's what the organization did.

I think the solution is pretty simple: the Jazz should just build and sponsor a dedicated, high-end strip club aimed at professional athletes. Ryan Smith certainly has the money for it. Problem solved.

Lol. While a hilarious solution, I can't help but think how much things have changed culturally in a few short years. It would have been embarrassing for a woman to post photos with her bum out like they do on insta. Onlyfools didn't exist because it would have been mortifying for any girl to do it. The counterweight to it all is the rise of the red pillers and some really scketchy influencers.

Better for Ace to understand these ladies in the club are trying to game him and everyone else. Best to just focus on hooping in Utah.

Catchall · Post #38 » by **Catchall** » Sun Jun 29, 2025 4:37 am

Got off the plane. Went straight to the gym.

Catchall · Post #39 » by **Catchall** » Sun Jun 29, 2025 2:54 pm

Inigo Montoya wrote:
pickIBL wrote:If Utah being predominately white or "different" is a problem, then I think it should factor into drafting. If Utah not having as good of night clubs and strip clubs is a problem for the the prospect. I think it should be a factor for the Jazz in their selections.

The Jazz can build a team around guys that recognize that Utah is a nice place without distractions. It is a good place for a young guy or a vet that wants to focus on basketball and have a good quality of a life. And if that's a problem, then that's on the prospect.

I've said it for years. The focus should be on finding players that fit Utah and don't care about strip clubs. That probably means a heavier focus on international players. But it can of course be a domestic who fits the bill. And if there is a high level prospect that doesn't, then you draft him and hold him hostage for a trade. You don't pass. That's what the organization did.

I think the solution is pretty simple: the Jazz should just build and sponsor a dedicated, high-end strip club aimed at professional athletes. Ryan Smith certainly has the money for it. Problem solved.

Yeah, maybe they can put it next to the practice facility...

TheBlackCzar · Post #40 » by **TheBlackCzar** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:39 am

red4hf wrote:
TheBlackCzar wrote:It won't surprise me if he signed with Washington after his rookie deal is up so maybe y'all did us a favor.....

So, you're looking forward to him signing with WAS 9 years from now? LOL......

I guess you've not paid attention to basketball the last 10 years and how players are moving...... LOL.....
But we're going to have many more players outside of Ace wanting to come here, so it's no biggie, we're not in the same situation as ya'll are, so good luck.......