The Utah Jazz had the opportunity to draft in the lottery like the Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs. Not only that, but they got prospects in other parts of the draft as well. The Jazz specifically got Ace Bailey, Walter Clayton Jr., and John Tonje in this year’s draft. Each player has their share of positive aspects, but they do have questions in their game. Let’s dive into one question for each Jazz rookie as they head into the Las Vegas Summer League.
2025 NBA Summer League: 1 Question For Each Jazz Rookie
Ace Bailey
Question: Can Bailey play with better shot selection compared to his time in college?
Bailey has the talent and skills to be a major cornerstone of Jazz basketball. Specifically, his ability to make shots from anywhere on the court and his defensive potential make Bailey someone with star potential. In particular, his upside on defense makes Bailey a great fit next to Walker Kessler and what he offers as a rim protector. Bailey has already shown what he is capable of as a player in the Utah Summer League. In a game versus the Memphis Grizzlies, Bailey put up an efficient 18-point performance while also grabbing seven boards and three assists. For all his warts, performances like that are exactly why Bailey has star upside and why the Jazz drafted him.
Nevertheless, Bailey does have major questions surrounding his overall game. One of the big questions is whether he can improve his shot selection compared to his college days. While playing with Rutgers, Bailey would often take tough and outright bad shots at times. Such shots would kill the flow of the offense and bail out opposing defenses. It is important for Bailey to modify his shot diet to be more in line with the flow of the game. In that game versus Memphis, Bailey displayed far better shot selection and the results speak for themselves. Games like that are encouraging, but he needs to keep that up throughout the Summer League.
Walter Clayton Jr.
Question: Will Clayton’s size be too much of a detriment out on the court?
The Jazz taking Clayton in the draft is an excellent move for the team. Clayton specifically brings maturity and seriousness to a young Jazz squad still in the process of learning how to be a winning team. Additionally, Clayton provides Utah with excellent three-point shooting and overall efficient scoring from the guard position,something that the Jazz need. Regardless of whether he can become a starter for Utah, Clayton has the combination of skills and mentality to be a valuable role player for them.
Clayton has many positives working in his favor, but he does have one large question looming over him. In particular, Clayton’s size at six-foot-two will be a major issue for him on both ends of the floor. On defense, Clayton will be targeted by opposing offenses. Offensively, Clayton may struggle to finish against NBA-level athletes. Clayton held up well enough in the Utah Summer League, so it will be interesting to see him perform in Las Vegas.
John Tonje
Question: Can Tonje’s brand of offense translate against NBA-level competition?
Considering Tonje‘s injury, it is unclear when he will participate in Summer League. Regardless, Tonje is a talented offensive forward who can score anywhere on the court. He loves to use his strength to overpower his opponents to get to the rim. Furthermore, Tonje can extend his range beyond the arc as well. He can bring more strength and offensive punch to the Jazz. However, the question for Tonje is whether his brand of physical offense will translate against NBA-level competition. At the college level, Tonje outmuscled players younger and less developed than he was. At Summer League and in the NBA, Tonje won’t have the same physical advantages. If he plays, it will be intriguing to see how Tonje adjusts to a higher level of competition.
Photo credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The post 2025 NBA Summer League: 1 Question For Each Jazz Rookie appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.