Jazz are about to face the first major test of the Ace Bailey era

The Utah Jazz have been spectacularly mediocre four games into the season. Doing so means the jury is out on where this season will go. For that same reason, no one exactly knows where things will go with prized rookie Ace Bailey.

For what it's worth, the No. 5 pick looked better last night than he had the first three games of the season. He was making his shots and played within the flow of the offense. He hasn't lit the box score up yet, but the eye test will tell you that Bailey does not look like a boy among men out there.

And yet, in the midst of having his best game in his short Jazzman career, Bailey finished with a team-worst plus-minus of minus-17. For all that Bailey was showing in his limited playing time, Will Hardy played him in only four minutes of the second half. He turned to Cody Williams of all people to pick up the slack in the fourth quarter, and it was actually really effective.

That seems... telling.

A few games into the season, it's clear the Jazz want to take their time with Bailey and his development. It seems odd, given that last year, they gave Williams every opportunity they could to get himself going (which failed), but with Bailey, they are seemingly limiting his opportunities to start his first NBA season.

This could either give him the motivation to prove himself or it could get him to lose confidence. Bailey was a boom-or-bust prospect. If he reaches his potential, the Jazz have a glorious future ahead of themselves. If not, it may not be too good for them or Bailey may find his footing on another team.

What gets in the way is that the Jazz have seen developments across the board from the roster

Many believed Bailey would be the biggest headline of the season, and while he definitely shouldn't be counted out with the season still very young, the Jazz have seen promise from both their other players and their lineup choices.

-Keyonte George looks much better than last season (though the shooting woes are still there)
-Lauri Markkanen looks like his old self again after there was so much doubt about whether he would reach that level
-Walker Kessler looks like he has ascended even further
-The three-man lineup of Markkanen, Kessler, and Kyle Filipowski is getting Utah results

Because Utah is seeing positive developments this season, it makes it harder to shelve that for Bailey no matter how good he looks. Last night's game against Portland was a good sign from him, and the Jazz's coaching staff probably will expand his role his further, but with any luck, it shouldn't get in the way of the progress the Jazz have already seen.