Ace Bailey's late-season breakout is bad news for the NBA

Lost in all the excitement for what's to come next season and the misery for what's currently going on this season is Ace Bailey putting it together as his rookie season is coming to a close.

Now it's not too surprising that Bailey's putting up some good numbers, as Utah doesn't really have anyone else to turn to, as their best players are on the shelf right now. But hey, between Bailey (plus the likes of Cody Williams and Brice Sensabaugh) the Jazz are starting to see some positives results.

But in Bailey's case, not only is he looking like the player the Jazz had in mind when they picked him at No. 5, but he's also making rare NBA history that puts him in the same conversation as Kevin Durant in his rookie year.

Bailey has shown his talent, but his development from start to finish has been sensational. In March alone, he's averaging the career-best numbers of his young career, including 19.4 points, four rebounds, 1.2 steals, and one block a game. That includes some solid shooting percentages, including 45.7% from the field and 40.7% from three.

The numbers and the game film indicate that not only is Bailey coming along nicely, but he's only going to get better from here, which should make the Jazz not only more dangerous next season, but also makes their ceiling a bit more ambiguous.

Bailey is the X-factor to the Jazz's success next year

Even if Bailey wasn't on the team, Utah will be in the playoff hunt next season. However, a Bailey leap could very well be the difference between the Jazz being the team that took a big step forward toward its long-term goals yet need another and being even more ready for an actual title run than everyone thinks from the jump.

No one's saying the Jazz will immediately go from being one of the worst NBA teams to being frontrunners for the title in a season's time, but if Bailey proves he's ready to compete now (even if he won't reach his ceiling in Year 2) would make them a threat to just about anyone in the West, even if it will still be a bloodbath.

Utah won't pressure him to play like a star, as that's a tall ask after spending his rookie season in an environment that had absolutely no pressure at all (which he's starting to thrive in no doubt), but it would still be a welcome development.

Bailey won't be the determining factor in whether the Jazz will succeed or not, but he could be the determining factor in how much they succeed.