Could the Jazz Milk Washington if The Ace Saga Sours?

[Bodhi]

Yeah this reeks of one dude doing what's best for him, while manipulating the kid and family into thinking he has their best interest in mind. ****ing sad when a grown *** man cant make his own bread off his work or mind, but has to grift off someone elses talent.

 

[Flc]

Tony seems unconcerned, says this happens all the time: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6454997/2025/06/27/ace-bailey-utah-jazz-nba-draft/

 

[The Midnight]

Remember when Donovan Mitchell was drafted? He was so happy. He embraced the city and fans. Going to backyard BBQ's and stuff. He was basically every fans favorite player in his early years. Only player who I ever bought their shoes. Must have felt awesome to show up to each game and see all the Mitchell jerseys and to have everyone in the arena adore you. I wonder if having an entire fanbase supporting you in that way makes you play a little bit better as well. At least during the home games.

I think that is the better route to take.

Tre would have been Don 2.0 outside the court.

Clearly the FO feels Ace’s potential is much higher than Tre as to warrant the risk.

 

[KqWIN]

You are way overthinking this.

I’m overthinking this because I think it’s not an issue? I hope the Jazz didn’t overthink it, because they didn’t care either way. All I said is that this is a different version of what happens every year. Tony just wrote an article saying the same thing. He must be overthinking it as well.

 

[idiot]

Wasn't the charge (I think from Gary Parrish) not that he was asking for money from teams for interviews, but that he was asking media for money for he himself (Cooper) to be interviewed on camera? Or have you heard differently?

I think I was wrong in saying it's Garry Parrish who made this charge originally. Seems like it was Jeff Goodman.

 

[Jaanipoeg]

I wonder if there is reform in the ability players have in manipulating where they go from this? If Ace ends up here it may change the way other teams feel even deciding on prospects and maybe they give punishments if a player threatens to just not show up if drafted. I know this has always happened with the likes of Kobe and Francis being famous examples, but seems like it may be crescendoing a bit and we have the Sanders situation in the NFL as well.

The majority of teams have been affected by it and the players association is famously focused on themselves (players already drafted so it wouldn't affect them). I feel like scaling back "player empowerment" may be on the minds of most owners and I feel the players association would happily rework draft pick options if it meant not affecting them as much.

 

[Flc]

Wish I could… just after hearing the stuff it made sense and it’s never been about what’s best for Aces money or dev.

Reading between the lines, sounds like Omar angled for (and possibly received) signing bonus promises for himself from Washington or New Orleans. If that's the case, it would be a major scandal that would likely result in league penalites toward those teams and Omar being blacklisted.

 

[Sean]

When Malone was drafted, Utah put him on the team float for the 24th of July parade, which also happened to be his birthday, and he thought the parade was for him and everyone came out to show their love and support

Let's do that lmao

 

[Flc]

I wonder if there is reform in the ability players have in manipulating where they go from this? If Ace ends up here it may change the way other teams feel even deciding on prospects and maybe they give punishments if a player threatens to just not show up if drafted. I know this has always happened with the likes of Kobe and Francis being famous examples, but seems like it may be crescendoing a bit and we have the Sanders situation in the NFL as well.

The majority of teams have been affected by it and the players association is famously focused on themselves (players already drafted so it wouldn't affect them). I feel like scaling back "player empowerment" may be on the minds of most owners and I feel the players association would happily rework draft pick options if it meant not affecting them as much.

Yes. Tony reported in the article linked above that how Omar has moved here may reach the upper echelons of league brass.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Reading between the lines, sounds like Omar angled for (and possibly received) signing bonus promises for himself from Washington or New Orleans. If that's the case, it would be a major scandal that would likely result in league penalites toward those teams and Omar being blacklisted.

nba teams never put friends or family
on staff?

 

[Losing Interest]

This story reminds me of all the gravy trainers that were surrounding Jesus Shuttlesworth... At least he had the common sense to walk away from most of the people trying to leach on to him.

 

[slc]

Maybe NBA or players union needs to provide a list of legit agents players could pick from to prevent this

 

[Powshredder]

So, Cooper is claiming he's Ace's agent, but isn't NBPA certified (according to Sarah Todd). So i did a few google searches and it sums up to this:

• Agents representing NBA players must adhere to these state laws in addition to NBA and NBPA regulations.

Consequences of Violations:

• Failure to register as an athlete agent is a misdemeanor, punishable by fines or imprisonment.

 

[idiot]

Tony seems unconcerned, says this happens all the time: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6454997/2025/06/27/ace-bailey-utah-jazz-nba-draft/

At the risk of turning this into a semantical issue, it depends what you mean by "this".

My takeaway from Tony's article is that pre-draft antics and positioning are frequent. But if this issue extends beyond the draft itself to issues like not reporting to the team, it would make the situation a rather rare one.

Of course it's too early to know what will happen between now and summer league, so we're all operating on speculation, but I think most of us (myself included) suspect that Ace will show up.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

So, Cooper is claiming he's Ace's agent, but isn't NBPA certified (according to Sarah Todd). So i did a few google searches and it sums up to this:

• Agents representing NBA players must adhere to these state laws in addition to NBA and NBPA regulations.

Consequences of Violations:

• Failure to register as an athlete agent is a misdemeanor, punishable by fines or imprisonment.

He has a real agent that will handle the paperwork but Omar is the “brains” behind the operation.

 

[Flc]

nba teams never put friends or family
on staff?

"Thanks for everything Omar. Our fanbase has been through a year of hell that you just extended and you clearly don't have any idea what happens at the NBA at the professional level, since you aren't a professional. After watching you do your best trying to destroy another young career, we'd love for you to come work with Avery and Coach as a Director of Player Development, you GOAT!"

So ridiculous. Keep this lame away.

 

[KqWIN]

Tony seems unconcerned, says this happens all the time: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6454997/2025/06/27/ace-bailey-utah-jazz-nba-draft/

Glad someone else said it as well! This part at the end shows why TJ is a real writer and I am not. Summed it up perfectly:

And it shines a light on what has become a dirty game behind the scenes during the predraft process. And, make no mistake, it’s a game that’s been played for generations.

Bailey’s game was played out for the public to digest. That’s the only difference.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

There was a quote from Tim Connelly (Wolves GM) that said picking in the 2nd round sucks because agents control everything and it's all agreed to beforehand.

 

[idiot]

He has a real agent that will handle the paperwork but Omar is the “brains” behind the operation.

It's interesting that Realgm (usually my go-to source for who employs which agent), lists Cooper as the agent rather than this real (NBA approved) agent.

 

[KqWIN]

At the risk of turning this into a semantical issue, it depends what you mean by "this".

My takeaway from Tony's article is that pre-draft antics and positioning are frequent. But if this issue extends beyond the draft itself to issues like not reporting to the team, it would make the situation a rather rare one.

Of course it's too early to know what will happen between now and summer league, so we're all operating on speculation, but I think most of us (myself included) suspect that Ace will show up.

If he had Bartlestein or Paul, those two would put pressure in other ways. They would also refuse a workout, but would also play a cat and mouse game where both sides try to maintain on good terms because the client base is large.

Cooper is a fake agent without any other real clients. He can’t do the same thing. All he can really do is be annoying. And he’s doing that.

Ultimately I think the result is the same. Ace will play for the Jazz this upcoming season. Maybe he sits out summer league, but like Tony outlined….it seems far fetched that Ace wouldn’t play at all.

It does seem like Cooper could be an ongoing headache though.