The returns from Ace Bailey have been mostly excellent. He didn't start his NBA career dominating, but as time has gone on, it's become pretty clear the Utah Jazz were right to pick him. There weren't that many doubts in Bailey's talent, but there was concern about if he would like being a Jazzman. Almost two months into the season, he has put all that concern to rest.
Bailey received some ire for how he and his representation handled himself during the pre-draft process, so when it had been confirmed that the Jazz had picked him, the move was seen as a needed swing for the fences. At the same time, many feared Bailey could be a problem for the Jazz if he did not want to play for the team.
However, even before the season started, all indications were that Bailey was ready to get going and was wowed by the fan support from Day One. Since then, Bailey has received high marks from pretty much everyone, from Will Hardy to Kevin Love. Not just because of how good he is, but also because of how he approaches the game.
In short, many questioned Bailey's attitude and by extension, if the Jazz had it right. Without so much as lifting a finger, he's proven pretty much every bit of skepticism about his character wrong.
The next step for the Jazz & Bailey will be the real challenge
So Bailey has shown that he definitely has the talent to be their next franchise player. For all we know, the day he becomes one may be sooner than we all think. However, if and when Bailey shows the kind of player many hope he can be, that will put the pressure on the Jazz a winning product around him.
If the plan is to keep Lauri Markkanen, then they are already on the right track. Markkanen has been excellent this season and is right square in his prime, so when Bailey's role increases, he and Markkanen should be quite the duo. However, Utah knows that it will also have to build a good two-way team to have any shot at a title.
At the moment, while other players like Keyonte George and Walker Kessler(?) look like they should be mainstays, the roster remains a bit of a question mark. Some of the other Jazz youth have not come around as well as many had hoped. It's not like it's too late for them or anything, but the Jazz will start winning at some point this decade, and no one would be surprised if Bailey has a lot do with that.
When he does, the Jazz must build the right team around him because with their history, there's only so much time before star talent like Bailey decide that they are out.