NBA analyst explains why the Utah Jazz need to get Ace Bailey

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights entered last season with high hopes and expectations. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to meet them, and they didn’t even make the NCAA Tournament.

Even so, that didn’t take much of a toll on Ace Bailey’s or Dylan Harper’s draft stock. They’re both still projected to be among the first five players taken in the 2025 NBA Draft.

With that in mind, and knowing that Cooper Flagg might not be available, Utah Jazz analysts from SLC Dunk urged them to use their first-round pick to get Bailey.

The Jazz need Ace Bailey

“He is a guy that can get to his spot consistently, rebound the ball in traffic, throw it down in transition, help on the weak side on defense, and is somebody that has shown a lot of improvement throughout the year. I’ll admit I have been a tough critic when it comes to evaluating Ace this year due to his inconsistent play, but there really is a lot to love about a guy at his size, his age, his usage, his athleticism, with his shot diet numbers, and his rim protection — it’s pretty special, and I don’t want to get in trouble by over evaluating him like I have done with players in the past,” read the report.

Ace Bailey #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Of course, there’s no such thing as a perfect prospect, and Bailey isn’t the exception to that rule. There are some shot selection issues, and he’s not a willing passer.

see also

25 highest-paid college basketball head coaches: Who earns the most?

Nevertheless, given his sky-high upside and his NBA comparisons to players like Kevin Durant, it’s hard to believe the Jazz will need a lot of convincing to take him if he’s available.