ASCENSION: Ace Bailey’s Role in Utah Jazz REBUILD—How He Projects to DOMINATE by Year 4

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4.7 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2026

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Utah Jazz fans are buzzing about Ace Bailey’s long-term potential. Is he the wing scorer and defender the team needs to anchor their rebuild? Leif Thulin spotlights Bailey’s rookie development, comparing his trajectory to NBA standouts Michael Porter Jr., Brandon Ingram, and Brandon Miller. Statistical projections, unique skills, and the importance of confidence and role clarity take center stage, with Leif Thulin projecting Bailey’s upward path over his rookie contract. The episode also evaluates the growth of Jazz youngsters Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski, debating their fit in the Utah rotation as the team eyes playoff contention. Will Cody Williams emerge as the top perimeter defender? Can Collier improve his shooting enough to stay in the mix? Plus, find out what it will take for the Jazz’s youth movement to translate into postseason success.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The key to rebuilding successfully is hitting on draft picks.
0:05.5	Let's evaluate just how good Ace Bailey is and more importantly, will be.
0:11.1	This is Locked on Jazz.
0:18.1	You are Locked on Jazz, your daily podcast on the Utah Jazz.
0:23.3	Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day.
0:30.0	What's up, Jazz Nation?
0:31.4	Welcome in to Locked-on Jazz.
0:33.7	My name's Leif Tuline, and I'm excited, honored to have the opportunity to fill in for
0:37.8	David Locke on Lock on Jazz. You guys know me, the vast majority of you guys at least. If you don't,
0:43.1	I'm a statistician for the Utah Jazz, draft nerd and diehard fan of our beloved Utah Jazz.
0:49.1	Thank you guys for making Lockdown Jazz your first listen every day. And remember Lockdown
0:53.1	Jazz is free and available on all platforms, including YouTube
0:55.8	at Locked on Jazz.
0:57.0	The best way to help us grow is comment anything below.
0:59.9	And question of the day is, what are your expectations for Ace Bailey for his full
1:05.8	rookie contract, aka how good will he be by year four?
1:09.5	Today's episode is brought to you by Fandall.
1:11.4	Use your profit boost on an NBA future and an NBA future and get entered for a chance to win a trip to the NBA finals.
1:19.4	Play your game with Fandle, the official sports betting partner of the NBA.
1:24.8	On this show, I'm going to break down my observations as compared to my documented expectations
1:30.7	from the preseason for Ace Bailey and outline what I see as his likely role for the rest of this season,
1:36.6	but more importantly, the rest of his rookie deal. I'll also dive into other recent jazz draft picks
	...

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