According to Tony Jones, Ace Bailey is parting ways with his manager, Omar Cooper.
It’s massive news that says a lot about the pre-draft process and after. Ace Bailey famously came into the league with Omar Cooper calling a lot of the shots for Bailey, and made his process some
of the most talked about news on draft night. All the teams at the top of the draft were told not to draft him, and this week it was confirmed that the team Ace Bailey was trying to work his way to was the Washington Wizards. With Sharife Cooper, Omar Cooper’s son, being picked up on a two-way contract with the Wizards, Omar Cooper is clearly trying to work behind the scenes in multiple ways. Maybe Ace Bailey got tired of it?
It’s obviously speculation without knowing everything going on, but it’s clearer now than ever before that Omar Cooper was probably hoping for a Washington move more than Bailey. For weeks and weeks, there were multiple rumors that spooked the Sixers and the Hornets from drafting him, and the Utah Jazz decided they weren’t going to be bullied out of the pick. That decision looks more impressive every day. Not only did Bailey show off some impressive size, athleticism, motor, and defense in his short stint in summer league, but now it’s looking like he’s perfectly fine being on the Utah Jazz.
Tony Jones mentioned that Bailey will be seeking new representation, although it may not be all that notable what he does. Daniel E Green of Green Sports Management and Adie Von Gontard of Young Money APAA Sports Group are Bailey’s actual NBA-certified agents. Omar Cooper was more or less a player-manager. It’s a big difference, and I can’t help but wonder what Cooper was doing behind the scenes to try to change things.
Regardless, this is an impressive move by Ace Bailey. Cooper has been a big part of his development, and for a 19-year-old to have to make that type of decision would be really tough. It’s hard not to see this as an excellent sign for the future of Bailey with the Jazz. All along the draft process, Ace Bailey, in his own words, would say that it was always about basketball, and he was happy going to the Jazz. It turns out that was true and Jazz fans have a lot less reason to worry about the future. What a great start for Ace Bailey and the Utah Jazz!
