The Utah Jazz fanbase believes a future partnership between Ace Bailey and AJ Dybantsa could lead the franchise to its first NBA championship. With the 2025 NBA Draft in the books, the Jazz selected Bailey with the No. 5 overall pick, landing one of the most promising players in this year’s class.
Although Bailey initially appeared hesitant to begin his NBA career in Utah, he’s expected to remain with the team unless the front office decides to trade him. A recent social media interaction between him and Dybantsa has filled Jazz fans with hope.
Will the Jazz Draft AJ Dybantsa and Pair Him Up With Ace Bailey?
Bailey may already be a household name, but Dybantsa is another high-profile prospect projected to be a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. After Bailey posted on Instagram following draft night, Dybantsa commented on the post, prompting Bailey to respond: “Up next.”
Ace Bailey and AJ Dybantsa will bring a championship to Utah pic.twitter.com/CIPAJoj5zH
— Cap’n Cook (@JazzePinkman) June 26, 2025
The faith in the potential pairing is already at an all-time high, with one fan commenting, “Ace Bailey and AJ Dybantsa will bring a championship to Utah.”
Dybantsa recently completed high school and has committed to play at BYU. Given that he is from Utah, many fans believe the franchise will consider “tanking” the 2025-2026 season to improve its odds of securing the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. After all, that would allow the franchise to draft a hometown talent, much like the Cleveland Cavaliers did with LeBron James more than two decades ago.
Another fan thought the opposite, hinting that Dybantsa should “tank” his season, posting, “AJ should tank his season at BYU to get drafted by the Jazz. Tank for the Jazz!! Throw your BYU season, AJ.”
AJ should tank his season at BYU to get drafted by Jazz. Tank for the Jazz!! Throw your BYU season AJ
— Chris (@ChrisMorganCT) June 27, 2025
Another fan explained the thought process for Utah’s desire to win the 2026 NBA lottery, saying, “Next year’s top pick is probably a three-horse race IMO: Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer. If Dybantsa clearly becomes the number 1 pick, as I said a couple months ago, be prepared for Utah to win the lottery.”
Next year’s top pick is probably a 3 horse race imo
Darryn Peterson
AJ Dybantsa
Cam Boozer
If Dybantsa clearly becomes the number 1 pick, as I said a couple months ago….be prepared for Utah to win the lottery— Mobland Redux (@racjac24) June 27, 2025
This fan delved a little more to show why Utah seems so invested in Dybantsa: “Utah Jazz will win the draft lottery in 2026. AJ Dybantsa will go there. AJ went to high school in Utah at Utah Prep and will go to college in Utah at BYU. The way Jazz is set up, they’re gonna tank hard & be rewarded with a future superstar who will want to be in Utah.”
Utah Jazz will win the draft lottery in 2026.
AJ Dybantsa will go there…
AJ went highschool in Utah at Utah prep and will go college in Utah at BYU.
The way Jazz is setup, there gonna tank hard & be rewarded with a future superstar who will want to be in Utah…
— Marrirez ✪ (@Marrirez) June 27, 2025
Dybantsa averaged an impressive 21.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game during his time with Utah Prep and also recently won the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year. Listed at 6’9 and currently ranked as one of the top basketball prospects in the country, it is certainly possible for the combination of him and Bailey to help the Jazz contend for and win a title in the distant future.
After all, the Jazz are one of the few franchises in the league that have never won an NBA title. While it’s far too early to project what two unproven prospects could achieve, the early chemistry between Bailey and Dybantsa has fans dreaming big.
The Jazz would likely need to bottom out next season and hope for lottery luck in 2026 to make that vision a reality. It might be a tough pill to swallow in the short term, but fans might consider the gamble worth it if it results in a championship-caliber duo.
