Dante Exum was drafted in 2014 as the fifth overall pick and is still a work in progress. Given that Exum missed his entire sophomore campaign with a torn ACL, he essentially lost a year-and-a-half of development. Coming off his best season as he enters restricted free agency, it would be a “major upset” if Exum does not return to Utah, Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune opines.
Exum, 22, averaged a career-best 8.1 PPG and 3.1 APG for the Jazz during the season. However, he still has not developed a consistent jumper, his midrange game is virtually nonexistent, and he was dominated at times during the postseason, Jones writes. While there is more development needed, Exum and Jazz seem to have a mutual interest in him returning next season.
“In fact, it will be a major upset if Exum isn’t wearing a Jazz uniform next season,” Jones writes. “Utah covets his size and athleticism. The front office, led by general manager Dennis Lindsey, maintained through the postseason they would be patient with Exum and his development.”
Check out more Jazz notes below:
- Eight-year NBA veteran Derrick Favors will hit unrestricted free agency this summer coming off a season in which he posted solid totals of 12.3 PPG and 7.2 RPG in 77 games, Frank Urbina of HoopsHype looks at four possible destinations for Favors, including the Wizards, Bucks, Warriors, and a return to Utah.
- After the Rockets completed their postseason series win over the Jazz, James Harden spoke highly of the team and believes there are even brighter days ahead, Eric Woodyard of The Deseret News writes. “Unbelievable,” Harden said. “Especially when nobody expected them to be in the situation they’re in right now. The sky is the limit for them.”
- In a separate story, Brad Rock of The Deseret News writes about the end of Utah’s season, with Jae Crowder — who was acquired at the deadline from the Cavaliers — suggesting that this year was just the start of good things to come. “I think it’s the beginning of an era,” Crowder said.
- Brad Rock of the Deseret News writes in a separate story that the Jazz cannot stand pat this summer, arguing that the team’s ability to keep improving will be limited without a few roster changes.
G-League talent getting chances time after time bc of where they got drafted. Kid isn’t worth much more than a spot at the end of a bench.
Ricky Rubio isn’t the answer and I can’t imagine the price tag will be sizable enough to turn the Jazz away – might as well give him a chance
Hence being called a “work in progress”
The kid hasn’t had a chance. He’s a 6’6″ point with great athleticism, high IQ and a competitive edge. He’ll be just fine and played really well in the Houston series.
He isn’t worth more than the QO of 4.3 tho. Jazz can really afford to waste salary on him bc he is injury prone and hasnt developed. He has improved his FG% but still an overall bad shooter. He is similar to Mudiay, neither are worth an investment other than year to year prove it deals. Jazz need reliable scoring options.
If I was the Jazz, I would be looking to pick someone like Dennis Schroder in a trade with Rubio and parts/picks as the return.
Schroder and the #30 pick for Rubio and the #21 pick seems fair. It would get the Hawks out of the salary 2 years earlier and move them up a few spots. For the Jazz, it gets them a better player and a lesser salary for the 1st rounder.
I don’t disagree that the Jazz should target Schroder. I don’t disagree that the Hawks would be willing to part with him. But I do think the Hawks can do a little better than that package.
While Rubio is expected to recover from his injury 100%, he is coming off an injury that it ended his season, so I wouldn’t think his value would be as high as if he wasn’t. We also have to keep in mind that they’re are a few teams in the market for a pg and DS is one of the better choices.
If teams with better picks such as Phx, Orl, Sac, LAC, and Den, all fill their needs ( depending on how you feel about their current pg’s) through the draft, FA, and other trades, I think a trade Atl would go for is Schroeder and the Hawks 2nd round pick ( 33 over all), just 3 picks later, for Rubio,# 21, and Utah taking on Plumlee’s bad contract.
Do I think Utah would agree to that? IDK, that bad contract might be a deal killer! But according to hoops hype they would have the flexibility to do it, if they desired.
Would the Hawks do it without the bad contract of Plumlee involved? That depends on who’s on the board at 21.
So in closing if everything fell right for both teams, I don’t think the Hawks would demand Plumlee contract included if a group of players they like on on the board. And without his contract I think that might be trade worth considering for both teams.
I considered swapping the 30 for the 33, but I figured Atlanta would not want 4 guaranteed contracts since they would be picking up another first to go with their own lottery pick and the #19 from Minnesota. From that perspective the #33 would be more valuable than the #30 to the Hawks.
I doubt Utah would take on Plumlee, although they could if they don’t re-sign Favors. I just don’t see it happening, because they would still need to find a 4. The only way I could see Plumlee being involved would be if the Hawks took back Alec Burks and maybe added a future 2nd rounder.
I’d be willing to bet that this year they would be willing to take on 4 first round picks! I’d also be willing to bet if they did so it would be with the intention of using them to move up if the opertunity presents itself. I personally don’t think the Hawks would have much interest in Burk. However I wouldn’t completely rule it out as he’d be on a one year deal and we’ve seen the Hawks take that on and simply buy out the player ( Crawford).
You think Schroder is better than Rubio? Questionable
Dennis S on this Jazz team would be a disaster. imo.
Way too much baggage with him. Don’t do it Jazz.
He’s not even an upgrade with how well Rubio played this year.