Ace Bailey didn’t want to get drafted by Utah.
Austin Ainge “didn’t give a damn” if that were the case.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported that Bailey declined to workout with the Jazz, and that Utah wasn’t one of the 19-year-old’s “preferred destinations.”
“He was hoping to get to either Washington, New Orleans or Brooklyn,” Givony said on ESPN.
Ainge, Utah’s president of basketball operations, reportedly indicated to Givony that he didn’t “give a damn” about whether the 18-year-old wanted to play in Utah. If Bailey was the best available player at No. 5, the Jazz were going to draft him.
And that’s exactly what happened.
Once regarded as a top-three prospect, Bailey fell to fifth pick on Wednesday night — right into the Jazz’s lap.
Bailey’s path to the NBA was bizarre. He reportedly didn’t work out for any teams, and canceled a scheduled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers — who had the No. 3 pick.
The 6-foot-8 forward showcased his offense in his lone season at Rutgers when he averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 34.6% from 3-point range.
Despite Utah not being a preferred destination, Givony reported the Jazz will keep Bailey.
