Dante Exum – Keeper, For Now
I suppose that with how young the aforementioned Jazz players are, they could all have the “for now” disclaimer after their name. There’s no telling what might change with each player or the Jazz organization in the upcoming years. However, none seem as questionable as Dante Exum.
Despite missing the entirety of the 2015-16 season, he’s undoubtedly still a keeper for the Jazz simply because of his raw talent and incalculable upside. After using the fifth pick in the draft to select him, the Jazz would be foolish to part ways with a player so early in his career who certainly has shown hints of becoming a player who could truly pan out.
If nothing else, Exum proved in his rookie season that he is a lock down defender with the potential to one day become elite. Using his length and speed, he challenged some of the top point guards in the league. While the Jazz certainly need improved offense (and hope that Exum will down the road be able to help with that), he’s a perfect piece for them to continue to bolster their defensive identity.
There’s high hopes that Exum lives up to his hype and becomes the electrifying player many predicted he could become. In hope that this truly unfolds, the Jazz need to hold on to him. However, if he is set back by the knee injury or fails to show much progress, this verdict could certainly change sooner rather than later.
Next: Gordon Hayward