Ace Bailey, the 6’7″ forward from Rutgers was selected 5th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2025 NBA Draft and he seemingly was not happy.
While a top-five pick is an impressive achievement, Bailey’s draft position represents a significant financial and lifestyle setback for the incoming rookie.
He was initially projected to be the No. 3 pick, and his fall to just No. 5 will cost him an estimated $9 million in rookie contract earnings.
Rookie Contract Breakdown
Bailey’s rookie contract with the Utah Jazz is structured as follows:
- Year 1 (2025–26): ~$6.8 million
- Year 2 (2026–27): ~$7.2 million
- Year 3 (2027–28): ~ $7.5 million
- Year 4 (2028–29): Team option at approximately $9.3 million
This totals around $30.8 million over four years. (all fully guaranteed)
In contrast, the No. 3 pick, VJ Edgecombe, is set to earn approximately $50.4 million over the same period.
This $9 million difference underscores the financial impact of Bailey’s draft position.
It is also the difference between 1.48% in state income taxes, as Utah carries a 4.55% state income tax, to Pennsylvania’s 3.07%.
Many claim that NIL may be paying young men in college enough money nowadays to not be “as hungry” as players once were in past generations when their names get called on draft night. $9 million is still $9 million.
Draft Strategy Consequences
Bailey’s decision to cancel all pre-draft workouts, including a scheduled session with the Philadelphia 76ers, raised eyebrows around the league.
His representatives reportedly informed teams that Bailey would not report if selected by certain franchises, including the Jazz.
This strategy, aiming to influence his landing spot, ultimately backfired, leading to his selection by Utah and a subsequent financial loss.
The owner of the Utah Jazz went on the Pat MacAfee show and said:
“Ace Bailey can accomplish everything he wants in Utah.”
Outlook and Potential
Despite the financial setback, Bailey remains a promising talent.
He averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game during his freshman season at Rutgers and was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team.
His scoring ability and versatility make him a valuable asset for the Jazz as they continue to “rebuild” post the Gobert, Spida & the great Joe Ingles era.
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Next Reads
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- 2025 NBA Rookie Contracts Summary
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- How the NBA Could Bring Teams to Seattle and Las Vegas
Credits
Written by: Aidan Anderson
Research and Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
Sources: NBA.com, Spotrac, ESPN, The Athletic, CBS Sports, Forbes, APSM Proprietary Analysis.
Featured Image: Public Domain / Instagram
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute as professional advice.
