Utah Jazz’s Ace Bailey Could Challenge Cooper Flagg for Rookie of the Year
Could Ace Bailey be a legitimate contender for this season’s Rookie of the Year award? 
As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, Cooper Flagg, the number-one overall pick, is heavily favored to win the honors. A highly touted prospect and joining a playoff-contending team like the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg seems like a near-lock for the award.
However, could Ace Bailey, the Utah Jazz’s fifth-overall pick, have a chance to challenge Flagg for that title?
According to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, Bailey might be one of the few players who can make a real push for the award.
Pelton recently outlined the top Rookie of the Year candidates for the 2025-26 season, with Flagg clearly sitting at the top of the list. But Bailey is also mentioned as one of the “contenders,” along with Tre Johnson and Kon Knueppel, who have the best chance to dethrone him.
“I’d give Bailey the longest odds in this group because Utah’s offense could amplify his tendency to take questionable shots,” Pelton said. “Bailey shot 37% in two games at the Salt Lake City Summer League. Jazz coach Will Hardy will likely steer him toward better shot selection, but with the departure of Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, the Jazz will rely on recent draft picks to fill the void left by those two.”
Bailey enters a situation with the Jazz where plenty of offensive opportunities will be available. With Sexton, Clarkson, and John Collins no longer in the picture, a significant offensive load will fall on the shoulders of the young players, including Bailey.
On paper, this setup offers a promising chance for Bailey to get solid offensive volume in his first year.
However, he will face competition for those shot opportunities. In the backcourt, Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier will also be looking to make an impact, while Walter Clayton Jr., Cody Williams, and Brice Sensabaugh will be eyeing increased roles on the wing. Lauri Markkanen will still command his share of offensive touches.
For Bailey to make a serious Rookie of the Year run, he would need to hit the ground running—securing significant playing time, earning a solid share of offensive plays, quickly moving into a starting role, and establishing himself as one of the top scoring options on the team, just as he was drafted to be.
Achieving this would be a significant accomplishment for a 19-year-old. While Flagg remains the frontrunner in this race, if a few things break in Bailey’s favor, it’s not out of the question that he could make a strong push for the award.
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