19-year-old Ace Bailey is apparently not a picture of health right now.
The Utah Jazz rookie Bailey is currently dealing with tendinitis in both of his knees. Jazz head coach Will Hardy made that revelation to reporters after the team’s preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks this week.
Bailey had to leave that preseason game early with what was initially cited as “bilteral knee soreness.” Hardy then revealed that it was a tendinitis issue in both knees for Bailey but added that the team was not “overly concerned.”
Though Hardy may have been trying to downplay the ailment, that it is not at all what the Jazz want to hear about their prized teenager Bailey before the regular season even begins. Bailey was the No. 5 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, marking Utah’s highest selection in over a decade (since they drafted Dante Exum at No. 5 in 2014).
Bailey, who averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a freshman for Rutgers last season, has already experienced some drama to begin his young NBA career. He briefly held out from the Jazz after they reportedly drafted him against his wishes, and then he recently parted ways with his controversial agent Omar Cooper amid allegations of bad advice.
As for tendinitis, that is otherwise known as joint inflammation that often worsens with movement and repetitive motions (such as the ones that come from playing basketball). As a result, it will be interesting to see how Utah can manage Bailey’s condition as a rookie, especially since they are not expected to compete in the West this season.
