Ace Bailey's Rep Shuts Down NBA Rumors, Says Star Is 'Thrilled' to Be Drafted By Jazz

Andrew Witlieb, the president of GSE Worldwide and one of Ace Bailey's representatives, said his client was "thrilled" to be selected by the Utah Jazz with the fifth overall pick in Wednesday night's NBA draft.

Witlieb added that Utah "is one of the best places he could have gone."

There have been multiple reports about the handling of Bailey's pre-draft process. He notably didn't take part in any individual workouts for NBA teams, and ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported that Bailey's "preferred destinations" were to the Washington Wizards at No. 6, the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 7 or the Brooklyn Nets at No. 8.

Bailey previously declined the opportunity to work out with the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets and Jazz, who picked third through fifth, per Givony.

And Omar Cooper, who has represented Bailey during the pre-draft process (but not in the capacity as an officially certified NBPA agent, per Sarah Todd of the Deseret News) reportedly didn't have any comment for Givony when he asked about Bailey being selected by Utah.

Regardless of everything, the Jazz aren't concerned about whether or not Bailey wants to play for them. In the end, that's where Bailey got picked, and the Jazz are expecting him to play in Salt Lake City.

ESPN's Shams Charania also reported that it seems both parties are ready to make this work.

If the latest comments from Witlieb are any indication, it seems as though Bailey is looking forward to being a member of Utah and moving past the recent pre- and post-draft conversations about his preferred destinations.