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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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The Utah Jazz are making important decisions about their young roster, and one of the franchise's most promising players is receiving a significant vote of confidence.
Utah has exercised the $9.98 million third-year rookie-scale team option on forward Ace Bailey for the 2027-28 NBA season, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The move keeps Bailey under contract for an additional season as the Jazz continue building around their young talent.
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Bailey, 20, was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after spending one season at Rutgers. The 6-foot-9 forward entered the league as one of the most highly regarded prospects in his draft class, drawing attention for his scoring ability, size and offensive versatility.
His selection represented a significant investment for Utah, which has spent recent seasons accumulating young talent and evaluating potential long-term building blocks.
Bailey earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors following the 2025-26 season, providing an encouraging start to his professional career.
The decision to exercise his option gives the former Rutgers standout additional time to develop while remaining part of Utah's long-term plans.
Interestingly, the move comes alongside a different contract decision involving another young Jazz player.
According to Scotto, Utah is declining the $4.99 million fourth-year team option on guard Isaiah Collier for the 2027-28 season.
Collier, a first-round selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, has averaged 9.9 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals across his first three seasons.
The contrasting decisions highlight the choices facing Utah's front office as it determines which young players will remain part of the franchise's future.
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For Bailey, the exercised option provides additional contractual security, although it does not guarantee his place on the roster beyond the 2027-28 season.
The Jazz also retain a fourth-year team option on his rookie contract for the 2028-29 campaign.
Utah still has significant work ahead as it looks to become competitive in the Western Conference.
But by exercising Bailey's option, the organization has made one thing clear: The former top-five pick remains an important part of its plans.
Now, Bailey has an opportunity to reward that confidence by continuing his development into one of the franchise's leading young players.
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