DEMAND : Fans THINK Will Hardy is HOLDING BACK Ace Bailey. Walker Kessler replacement | Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz fans want answers as Ace Bailey’s minutes ignite debate—should Will Hardy unleash the rookie, or is his development best served with tough love? David Locke breaks down Bailey’s surprising NBA-ready skill set, dissecting his flashes of brilliance, defensive struggles, and what his shocking plus/minus stats really mean for the team’s rotation. The future of Walker Kessler at center is in question, sparking discussion about potential trades and the challenges of roster management in Salt Lake City.
Key topics include the roles of Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, Hardy’s coaching philosophy, and what’s driving frustration among fans about Bryce Sensabaugh’s limited playing time. With trade rumors swirling, lineup shakeups looming, and development vs. winning at stake, this episode explores the difficult decisions facing the Utah Jazz as they battle for progress in the fiercely competitive NBA landscape. Can the young core rise to the occasion, or will growing pains define their season?
00:00 Ace Bailey’s NBA Readiness
05:52 “Player Development and Accountability”
06:38 Player Development & Ace’s Minutes
09:53 “Progression Through Game Increments”
16:51 Jazz Trade Salary Constraints
21:19 Player Development and Role Evolution
25:59 “Jazz Drama and Coach Decisions”
28:33 Brice’s Performance and Minutes Struggles
30:44 NBA, AI, and Kevin Love
Locked On Jazz Podcast 💻 https://www.lockedonjazz.net
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOJazz?sid=YouTube
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
Follow David Locke on Twitter:
📲 https://twitter.com/DLocke09
#NBA #UtahJazz #WillHardy #DannyAinge #jordanclarkson #laurimarkkanen
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
DoorDash
Next time someone goes off for 50, use promo code NBA50 the next day to get 50% off on DoorDash with DashPass — plus your shot at the Bag Drop.
DashPass members only. 50% off up to $10 the day after a 50-point game with promo code. Terms apply.
No Purchase Necessary. Ends April 13th. Open to U.S. residents 21 or older. Visit DoorDashInYourBag.com for full details.
DoorDash — In your bag all season long.
Robinhood
You expect more from yourself. Expect more from your money. Get started today at robinhood.com/yourmoney. Your money. Your move.
All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Options, futures, and crypto trading carry significant risk and may not suit all investors. Securities offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member SIPC. Futures trading is offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC and not SPIC or FDIC protected. Crypto offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840), not FDIC or SIPC protected. Portfolio management offered by Robinhood Strategies, an SEC-registered advisor.
Gametime
Today’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
Right now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting https://FanDuel.com to get started
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
22 Comments
will hardy is a good coach.
This year, It's about developing players, not about numbers and wins. Otherwise why did you trade Collins, Sexton and JC? If Svi will play 30 minutes and in the summer you trade him for a second round, next year you start over with no better understanding about your young players than you had last year
let's just start the kid and instill confidence into him. The funny thing is he was going to start until he got sick for a week leading up to the opener but now as always Will focuses to much on the vets who won't be apart of our future. We will continue to be in this same place year after year if we don't rip the bandaid 🩹 off and cut the young guys lose. That's doesn't mean you don't have to expect excellence from them on following the game plan… if you look at every other successful rebuild they do not hold the youth movement back infact they start them and play them big minutes and each year they get better together. Look at OKC, Huston, Detroit, pacers. How will be ever know what the young guys can become if there are always vets being played over them. This will be Hardy's downfall if he does this year after year. Every other top pick is playing big minutes and I understand Ace hasn't shown much yet but some of that is due to confidence. You can see how he is playing very carefully. Cut him lose live with the mistakes!
And yes u understand the plus minus isn't good but one it never is on rookies and two he's getting small stints with other bench guys. Let him be with the starters as much as possible and it would open things up for him but now without Walker on the defensive end it's gonna be hard to have a good plus minus on this team. Also plus minus is not the best indicator of impact always. It's called the eye 👁️ test too
I have no problem with slowly ramping up a rookie from the bench to the starting lineup. You don't want a cooper flagg situation where he looks like he isn't ready to start.
We do need to get him a bit more involved.
100% agree with this. Whats the point of “tanking” if you aren’t developing the younger players? Why doesn’t Bailey get more minutes? Hendricks isn’t getting better either. There’s no point in getting top picks if you can’t develop them
Our bench is one of the worst +/- units in the NBA. I don't hold that against ace at all.
@aSKloj —- I know your point on Lauri being on the roster when the jazz next make the playoffs. That said, does the walker injury and it's influence on delayed development of walker/key/isaiah make the jazz front office any more likely to take an offer on Lauri? Seems like we'll be significantly worse this year without Walker. My hope honestly is that we keep of the core of young guys (lauri/walker included) we have and get a top pick this coming off-season and build from there. Cam/AJ/Darryn… look too good to pass up the opportunity to get them when we already have the OKC pick hanging over our head
David I love your show. I need to point out that this is the whole problem you saying Svi has no trade value yet he's starting for us and taking 30 minutes from the young guys who are a part of our future is the problem Jazz fans have with Hardy right now. On any playoff team he wouldn't be playing so why are we starting him and playing 30 minutes at some point you got to cut the youngsters lose and see what they are mad if we aren't going to the playoffs anyways we were the WORST TEAM in the nba last year you don't do this after a year like that. Our front office traded everyone to free up minutes to see what talent we have out of the youth movement and Hardy is still not cutting them lose and I get it they aren't executing the game plan and playing good defense but that's where having lots of reps comes in…
I've been listening to you for years now. I hope to see some real drums one day. That would be cool.
I’m more concerned about how many times ace touches the ball per a 100 than I am about if he starts. Consistency going 10 possessions without any passing him the ball is not good. Part of this is on ace. He needs to sell out on the break and the boards if he isn’t getting the ball in the half court. Is actions are also lacking some speed. They tend to be at all one pace with no hesitation or burst.
I fine with releasing Anderson and picking up a 3 string center just to take pressure off of love. Will it win games? No but is that what this about. If it works out well you have a new number 2 down the road.
A lot of aces plus minus as it goes in with the subs they all have terrible plus minuses I’m guessing
The worst part of being a Jazz fan is listening to all the wannabe NBA coaches who think they have a better plan than the coach and staff of the Jazz.
That’s why no one wants too come too the jazz they know they won’t get much playing Time ,ainge isn’t happy with will hardy I’m sure not playing ace more he leave just like all other players have.such a embarrassment organization and front office we have I was disappointed they didn’t do much at all the off season same old jazz
I’m sorry, but that’s a horrible reason for Svi playing. I hope the coaches aren’t using the same reason. He is not a “future” piece of our team like the young guys are, especially Ace. They should be getting the majority of those minutes.
Tanking for the pick next year, when we are horrible at choosing talent.
The problem is Ace isn't able to get into a flow at all. He will make a few shots and Will pulls him immediately. He's being treated like an afterthought like he's some backup. I look at how other rookies are getting serious minutes.
I think Hardy is trying to ease him into the starting role rather than throw him into the lions.
I think Bryce Sensabaugh is a fundamentally flawed player. He can shoot and score. But otherwise he is very slow, low energy and low intensity.
You are bringing up +/- when Ace is consistently being played with our garbage 2nd string lineup. Maybe Ace is somewhat related, but I think it's moreso the lineup he's put in has no flow.
Jazz decided to trade Sexton for Nurkic. They botched that. Sexton is a far better and younger player than Nurkic, and he's showing that again this year. They could have gotten more.
I understand playing Harkless and Svi more than Bryce due to effort. But I do have an issue with giving Bryce DNPs. That is extremely deflating to a young player and it's hard to come back from that.
David you need to do your homework. Jazz can apply for a injured player exception because Kessler will miss the entire year. Oscar would fit into that and Bamba could slide in as a two way player.