Ace Bailey is seeking new representation weeks before his NBA debut.
The Jazz rookie parted ways with manager Omar Cooper of Life Style Sports, according to a report from The Athletic on Tuesday. Bailey and Cooper became one of the biggest stories of June’s NBA draft after the Rutgers product—a projected top-three pick—fell to fifth after reports emerged that Bailey wasn’t interested in working out for teams or wouldn’t report to certain ones if they drafted him.
Bailey’s camp told teams through the pre-draft process they believed he’s a top-three player in the draft and sought “a clear path to stardom,” according to ESPN. Teams such as the Spurs and Sixers who held the No. 2 and 3 picks respectively, moved up in the lottery despite going into the 2024–25 season with playoff aspirations. Bailey wanted a situation that would give him immediate playing time.
The saga put the spotlight on Cooper, who was not a certified agent with the NBPA and was therefore forbidden from representing his client in contract talks.
The Jazz selected Bailey despite the 6-foot-7 forward never working out with them and he reported without issue and played for the team in summer league. Bailey’s draft fall cost him roughly $9 million. When he was selected, he said he had “no idea” the Jazz were taking him.
Andrew Witlieb, one of Bailey’s representatives at GSE Worldwide, said on Front Office Sports Today a few days after the draft that Bailey is “thrilled to be going to Utah,” and admitted Cooper drove the pre-draft approach.
“Omar really focused more on fit rather than going third in the draft,” Witlieb said. “He wanted someplace where Ace could have the best possible basketball fit for his game and we think Utah is one of the best places he could have gone.”
Cooper’s son, Omar Jr., was supposed to be a guest coach for the Jazz at summer league, but the idea was nixed after the NBA raised concerns with the team about it.
