After a stellar rookie campaign, Utah’s three-level threat prepares to exploit defensive pressure on his teammates and transform from a promising prospect into an elite NBA scoring engine.
Ace Bailey’s rookie season in Utah came with flashes of what he could become, even as the Jazz kept him on a deliberate developmental track. He averaged 14 points, four rebounds and a couple of assists, earned second‑team All‑Rookie honors and started 61 of 72 games.
On The Association, Stephen Nelson, Darren Collison and Josiah Johnson broke down what Bailey showed in year one and what comes next as he enters a far more demanding sophomore season.
Nelson opened the conversation by noting Bailey’s flashes and the context of his role, asking Collison what he wants to see Bailey add to his game.
“I think he can hit that 20 points per game per night,” Collison said. “I think he’s at 14. Well, he was at 14 for his rookie season. I think because he’s such an elite scorer, I think he can get up to 20 points and that’s saying a lot for his second year.”
For Collison, Bailey’s scoring profile already looks like that of a high‑volume wing.
“Ace Bailey, to me, I mean the thing, what I love what the Jazz did is they brought him in slowly. You know, the first 10 games they didn’t just start him and give him the basketball and say, here you go. He had to kind of grind and work his way to get that respect from his teammates, you know, the coaching staff and he deserved it. Towards the end of the year, he started playing phenomenally.”
Collison pointed to Bailey’s efficiency and versatility as the foundation for a scoring jump.
“It’s how he scores is what’s impressive. He’s another three-level scorer. Really good from the three-point area. Mid-range is really good. He can get it handled and sometimes he doesn’t even take a lot of dribbles to get to his baskets, you know, so somebody that’s coming off the screen the way he is effectively says a lot for somebody like a rookie.”
Nelson then turned to Johnson, reminding viewers of the roster.
“Josiah, something you said earlier, remind folks again, there’s one basketball. Can Ace Bailey get to that 20-point mark? When you’ve got Keyonte George with you, you bring in Darryn Peterson as the number two pick. Lauri Markkanen likes to shoot the basketball.”
Johnson agreed with Collison’s assessment.
“So I think I agree with DC here. But just from the standpoint, yeah, there is one basketball and Keyonte George is going to be a point of emphasis. Darryn Peterson is going to be a point of emphasis. You got Lauri Markkanen who’s going to be a point of emphasis. So Ace Bailey is going to have the opportunity to kind of be that guy because you can’t guard all of them.”
Johnson argued that Bailey’s scoring opportunities will grow because defenses can’t prioritize every threat.
“There is one ball, but you can’t prioritize all five of those guys on that court. So you got some extreme bucket getters. When Darryn Peterson and Keyonte George are out there getting it. Now they’re getting double teams. He’s gonna find himself in a position to get a lot of easy buckets and have a lot less pressure and strain than he did the previous season.”
The conversation shifted briefly to the Jazz’s broader outlook, with Collison asking Johnson how fun the team could be. Nelson added, “You said, playoff team.” Johnson didn’t hide his surprise at how quickly Utah’s rebuild has taken shape.
“I’m an LA guy. I’m sad to say. You know, I’ve been to Salt Lake a few times. I’m sad to say. Great airport, though. I will say shout out to Delta. Great, great hub in Salt Lake City. But to be able to watch this Jazz team starting to feel like the old school days. Dr. Malone. Like they’re on the precipice of doing something really, really special out there with this crew. If they can all stay together.”
If Bailey reaches 20 points per night, it won’t be because Utah hands him the offense. It’ll be because he’s learned how to carve his place within it, and because the Jazz have built a system where his growth is a given.
