Title: Why the Jazz Were Right to Draft Ace Bailey — Even If Things Get Worse Before They Get Better
In the volatile world of NBA rebuilding, every draft pick is a gamble — but some are worth betting the franchise on. The Utah Jazz made such a bet in the 2025 NBA Draft when they selected Ace Bailey. Despite growing concerns around the team’s direction, lack of short-term results, and looming questions about roster construction, one thing remains clear: the Jazz made the right call by drafting Ace Bailey, no matter how ugly things get in the near term.
Bailey is not just another promising rookie — he represents a potential cornerstone for a franchise that desperately needs a new identity. Standing 6’9” with a fluid handle, explosive athleticism, and budding two-way versatility, Bailey has the raw tools to evolve into a modern NBA star. The Jazz didn’t draft him because he was a sure thing on Day 1. They drafted him because they saw the blueprint of something far greater than what their current roster offers.
Yes, the Jazz are facing a grim short-term outlook. There’s no veteran superstar to mentor Bailey, the roster lacks cohesion, and the Western Conference is stacked with well-oiled machines like the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Thunder. That doesn’t mean drafting Bailey was a mistake. In fact, it’s the exact opposite — it’s the kind of swing you take when you’re not just trying to compete, but to transform.
Rebuilding in the NBA isn’t just about stacking assets or bottoming out for high picks — it’s about finding the player that resets your trajectory. Bailey has the upside to be that player. His combination of length, skill, and competitive fire makes him one of the most intriguing prospects Utah has had in years. Even if he doesn’t become a superstar overnight, players like Bailey don’t grow on trees, and Utah couldn’t afford to pass on that ceiling for a “safer” pick.
It’s important to remember that drafting potential comes with growing pains. If the Jazz lose 50 or more games next season, that won’t be a reflection of Bailey’s value — it will be a reflection of a young team learning how to compete at the NBA level. Utah fans need to understand that development is messy. There will be ugly games. There will be inefficient shooting nights. There will be defensive lapses. But there will also be flashes — the chase-down blocks, the coast-to-coast finishes, the above-the-rim finishes — that hint at what’s coming.
Critics might point to the current chaos — coaching uncertainty, a crowded frontcourt, or an unclear pecking order — and argue that the Jazz were irresponsible to bring in such a raw player. But the opposite is true: Bailey gives this organization something they’ve lacked since the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert era ended — hope.
Rebuilding teams don’t need instant answers; they need patience and vision. The Jazz showed vision when they drafted Bailey. Even if it takes two or three years for him to grow into a consistent star, he’ll be growing during a time when the franchise can afford to take its lumps. No one’s expecting Utah to make the playoffs next year. This is about building a foundation.
Let’s also not forget the intangible factors that made Bailey such a tantalizing pick. He’s a worker. He’s competitive. And he’s shown the willingness to improve — the kind of mentality that separates good from great. Surrounded by the right development staff, and given time to grow, Bailey could become the kind of player that other stars want to play with — the kind of player that makes Utah a destination again, not just a stop on the schedule.
Sure, things might get worse before they get better. The Jazz might continue to lose. They might even make more trades that fans don’t understand in the moment. But every storm eventually clears — and when it does, Ace Bailey could be the sun breaking through the clouds.
In the NBA, you win big by swinging big. The Jazz swung for the fences by drafting Ace Bailey. And even if it takes time, growing pains, and a few ugly seasons, the upside is worth it. Rebuilding is never pretty — but it’s the only path to greatness when you’re starting from the bottom. The Jazz were right to draft Bailey. Now, they just need to give him the space — and the support — to become what they believe he can be.
