Report: Jazz rookie Bailey parts ways with manager

Utah Jazz rookie wing Ace Bailey parted ways with his manager Omar Cooper, sources told The Athletic's Tony Jones.

The fifth overall pick was selected by the Jazz at the 2025 NBA Draft despite being advised by Cooper to not work out for any of the teams positioned in the top five, according to Jones. The 6-foot-9 former Rutgers standout reportedly planned to work out for the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3) but canceled that scheduled visit.

After arriving in Utah, the 19-year-old said he was "blessed" to join the Jazz, who many mock drafts predicted would be just out of range for the widely-assumed top three pick.

Utah wasn't among one of Bailey's preferred destinations, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony.

Bailey has reportedly yet to make a decision on new representation.

Bailey started 30 regular-season games as a freshman for Rutgers last season, averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. He was the team's second-leading scorer behind the NBA draft's No. 2 selection Dylan Harper; however, the duo failed lead the Scarlet Knights to success, finishing 15-17 (8-12 in the Big Ten) before falling to USC in the opening round of the conference's postseason tournament.