Ace Bailey is one of the most exciting prospects for the Utah Jazz in recent history. The Jazz haven’t seen much action in the NBA lottery, being top 10 in winning percentage in all-time play. In fact, prior to 2025, the Jazz last drafted top-five in the lottery in 2014 when they selected Dante Exum. This season, with the fifth pick, Bailey looks to contribute to a competitive Utah team next year.
The young rookie has the potential to become a big part of this team if his development stays on course. Unlike Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg, it’s taken Bailey a little bit longer to find his NBA legs. Before the All-Star break, Bailey averaged 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Post break, however, he has averaged an impressive 16.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Even though Bailey has improved his game, fans and media members alike can see where the Jazz organization can help him accelerate his development. As luck would have it, he may be the focal point of the front office this last stretch of the season.
Driving to the Hoop
Out of Bailey’s total shots, 25% of them come within four feet of the rim. When the rookie does choose to take these shots, he converts them 66% of the time. With a number that high, it makes fans wonder why Bailey doesn’t drive to the hoop more.
There are two likely culprits that contribute to this stat. First, Bailey is only 19 years old and still needs to get used to the physicality of NBA defenders. Plus, he lacks the experience that others have to slip past defenders. Second, at 200 pounds with a slender frame, Bailey struggles to force his way to the hoop. Jazz Nation saw the same thing last year when it came to Cody Williams.
Bailey prefers to settle for midrange jump shots (34% of his shots taken are midrange) when faced with tougher defense. He finds comfort in the midrange as a first-option skill. Driving to the hoop is tough, and since the young player always ranked higher than his peers growing up, there’s no need for him to try something hard when he can lean on the skill he has already mastered.
If the Jazz want him to become a star player for the organization, they need Bailey to take his defender off the dribble and take it to the rack for easy points. Perhaps to make it easier on him, they could run pick-and-roll plays to help him get to the hoop easier and make it a priority in practice.
Getting to the Charity Stripe
Another skill the Jazz can help Bailey work on is his free-throw attempts. Right now, the rookie averages 1.1 attempts per game. Again, his play style contributes to the stat. He prefers to play with finesse, taking a few dribbles to get to his spot and pull up for a jumper. Or you’ll see him sneak behind a screen or get away from a defender to shoot an open three.
Bailey needs to develop a physical game to produce more attempts at the line. Sophomore guard Isaiah Collier had to go through a similar process. In Collier’s rookie year, he only averaged 2.2 free throw attempts per game. A year later, Collier learned to use his smaller body as a rocket to propel himself to the hoop.
This, in turn, led to him averaging 3.5 free throw attempts per game. Coaching should continue to guide Bailey to push towards the hoop. Every practice, the coaching staff should dedicate time to helping Bailey learn to finish his shot in traffic.
Learning to Take Over Games
The Jazz’s future looks bright. With Keyonte George emerging into a potential All-Star, Lauri Markkanen continuously getting better each year, and now adding Jaren Jackson Jr. to the mix. Bailey might not get a lot of on-ball touches in the near future, unless he learns how to take over games. That said, the copious injuries the Jazz have may benefit the forward.
George sat out the game against the Washington Wizards (on Mar. 5.) for injury management purposes. Bailey flourished in his role as the number one scorer, becoming the youngest Jazz player in history to score over 30 points. Besides making history, what made the night special is how the rookie claimed them. Only one shot made was from the midrange.
All four of his shots near or at the rim came from driving to the paint one-on-one against a defender. Seven other shots came outside the three-point arc. On one shot in particular, Bailey scored over a defender in a clutch moment in the fourth quarter of the game, giving the Jazz back the momentum to control and win the game.
Bailey needs to carry this momentum and learn this skill. Next year, with a stacked lineup, Bailey can contribute when the stars are having an off night. Plus, he could take over if an injury occurs to another player on the team.
The Future
Even though it’s predicted that the Jazz will draft another blue-chip prospect this year, Bailey is still the future. You don’t draft a prospect like Bailey with the fifth pick to cast him aside the very next year. The kid can hoop, and he hasn’t even hit the age of 20 yet.
If Utah can prioritize Bailey’s development by making him drive to the rim, earn free throws, and learn to become a number one option, the ceiling is incredibly high for the foreseeable future.
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