KSL.com/Salt Lake City The Utah Jazz got together and attempted to plan out the draft two weeks ago.
They had a fairly solid notion of how the other five would perform, and the top two were all but guaranteed. After completing the task, they had two names circled for their selections: Walter Clayton Jr. and Ace Bailey.
That best-case scenario came true on Wednesday night.
The Jazz traded up from No. 21 to No. 18 to acquire Clayton after selecting Bailey with the No. 5 pick.
“We really wanted these two guys,” stated Austin Ainge, president of basketball operations for the Jazz.
Moving the No. 5 pick for Boston’s Jaylen Brown, as some rumors had indicated before the draft, was not on Utah’s radar.
As a rule, I don’t like to confirm or refute rumors, but this time, I will, Ainge stated. No, it hasn’t occurred. No discussions like that.
Rather, by selecting Bailey, a controversial but promising player, the Jazz continued to assemble their youthful squad via the draft. The 18-year-old forward may be the finest pure scorer in the NBA class, but his excessive dependence on midrange shots and, to put it bluntly, terrible shot diet raise concerns.
Additionally, his pre-draft procedure didn’t assist. The former Rutgers standout didn’t try out for any NBA team, which led to rumors that he was aiming to sign with a particular team.
But the Jazz weren’t concerned about either of those things. After interviewing Bailey’s teammates, coaches, and family members during the May draft combine, they found nothing concerning about him personally.
Regarding his play, Utah was familiar with him as a player from watching him play and on video. The Jazz saw a big, long, athletic, and incredibly gifted shooter—the kind of guy that is frequently difficult to find.
“I watched a lot of film on him, and I was impressed with his defensive effort, especially his rebounding of many weak side block shots, and his joy and energy for the game,” Ainge said. “He’s very skilled for his size, and his scoring gets a lot of attention, which is fair.” Everyone enjoys being around Ace, and we work on males and do a lot of background calls.
He is entertaining, cheerful every day, and a welcome change of pace in the gym.
Ainge stated that there was no hesitancy to select him when he was still available at No. 5, even if Utah wasn’t his or at least his agent’s first choice.
“He’s fantastic,” Ainge remarked. We had a conversation with him. He was quite excited, and so are we. We anticipate a very promising future.
Clayton, a guy Ainge had his eye on long before he arrived in Utah, is also part of that future.
Heck, Clayton’s former squad was already aware that he was probably going to the Jazz.
Brad Stevens, head of basketball operations for the Celtics, joked to local reporters after the draft, “I could have told you two years ago that he was going to trade up to get Clayton.”
Ainge, who had a lot of second-round ammunition on hand, also didn’t want to chance that the former Florida guard wouldn’t be available when Utah’s No. 21 choice arrived.
According to Ainge, it’s hard to predict who would like a guy and where they’ll go.
The Jazz began calling in the middle of the first round and were able to find a partner with Washington at No. 18.
In addition to two future second-round selections for No. 18, the Jazz sent the Wizards picks No. 21 and No. 43. The Jazz ultimately moved up three spots and acquired Clayton by trading three second-round picks.
We were anxious, so we simply tried to advance, sort of all the way up to the age of 18, Ainge said. We made the exchange there when Washington received an offer they were happy with.
What makes Clayton unique, then?
The 2025 Final Four’s most exceptional player, according to Ainge, is tough, intelligent, a fantastic shooter, athletic, and mature. I’ve had a great time following his development. Throughout college, he has improved significantly as an athletic kid mastering the point guard position. Each year, he simply became more proficient at it. And I was quite amazed by that.
