Even with the offseason just beginning, NBA fans are already eager to see what the league’s top prospects bring to the floor. One name generating serious buzz is forward Ace Bailey, the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, now headed to the Utah Jazz.
Miami Heat icon and Jazz co-owner Dwyane Wade opened up about Bailey’s potential during a recent episode of his Time Out podcast, revealing the team had no doubts when it came time to pick.
“Getting a young guy like Ace Bailey, the talent that he has, you cannot pass him up,” Wade said. “There is no way. Even though the rumor mill was saying that he wanted to go to certain teams, there’s no way you can pass him up. He is too talented.”
Bailey, who averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks during his lone season at Rutgers, joins a Jazz squad that features solid frontcourt talent in Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, but still lacks offensive firepower after parting ways with John Collins.
Though Bailey may not offer an instant fix, Wade believes the rookie’s natural scoring ability could be a major spark for Utah — especially for a team looking to climb from the bottom of last year’s scoring defense rankings.
“He’s one of those guys that just walk in the gym and get you 30,” Wade added. “He’s just one of those Melo-type of scorers, so you had to get him. I thought Danny [Ainge] and the staff did an amazing job of grabbing a young fella.”
