The Utah Jazz passed on Jeremiah Fears to take Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and it did not take long for that move to look wise. Fears’ ball-handling and decision-making were gigantic problems as the Pelicans lost all five games in the Las Vegas Summer League. There were questions about his role and ability to play on the ball, despite Utah being linked to select Fears in ESPN’s final mock draft before the proceedings. Those were on full display already.
Fears averaged 5.0 turnovers and just 2.6 assists per game over five contests. Couple that with shooting 18.2 percent from 3-point range to push the 18-year-old's performance into a full-blown nightmare. It has Pelicans questioning their selection and debating what role Fears can play in the NBA. He looked more like a score-first combo guard. At 6’3, that likely translates to bucket-getter off the bench, which is not ideal for a lottery pick.
The Jazz have a roster full of young player to sort out. Ace Bailey has tantalizing potential, and Cody Williams appears to have taken a step forward. Kyle Filipowski led the Vegas Summer League in scoring. There is plenty of hope, and at least, the Jazz aren’t the Pelicans.
Jazz dodged Jeremiah Fears disaster that is already haunting the Pelicans
Only one player averaged more turnovers per game than Fears in Vegas, and it was Pelicans fellow lottery pick Derik Queen. New Orleans traded their 2026 first-round draft pick to move up to draft Queen in the lottery. The Pelicans are clearly planning to contend this season, but they can’t do that with a point guard averaging more turnovers than assists.
Where does that leave Fears? Dejounte Murray is still recovering from a torn Achilles and won’t be ready on opening night. Jordan Poole and Jose Alvarado are the only other two guards on their roster. Fears is part of the opening night rotation, which is a terrifying thought for a franchise with their eye on contending.
The Jazz made a bold move by taking Bailey over Fears. Their eventual pick did not work out in Utah, so the decision-makers had to rely fully on the college tape and their intel. It is why ESPN thought Fears would be the selection. Utah needs a long-term answer at point guard, but they rightfully passed on the 6’3 guard. He is not ready to be a primary creator and may never get there.
Credit to the Jazz. They do not have the Fears headache to deal with. Without improvements in his jumper, decision-making, ball-handling, shot selection, strength, and defense, Fears won’t reach his potential. That was just one too many necessary gains to pass on Bailey’s upside.
Utah Jazz fans should be thankful the franchise selected Ace Bailey. Tre Johnson played well in summer league, but ESPN thought it was Fears, if not Bailey. The 6’3 guard needs time to develop and may never be more than a sixth man. Utah has had too many of them in recent years. Luckily, they dodged this bullet. It will be even sweeter if Bailey becomes a star in Salt Lake City, so stay tuned.