Utah Jazz: Breaking Down Player Acquisitions and Returns for 2016-17

Feb 25, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) defends against San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw (33) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) defends against San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw (33) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum watches warm-ups prior to the game against the Boston Celtics at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Exum is out indefinitely as he rehabs following ACL surgery. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum watches warm-ups prior to the game against the Boston Celtics at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Exum is out indefinitely as he rehabs following ACL surgery. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Dante Exum

Missing Exum for the entirety of last season ultimately resulted in the Jazz missing the playoffs. Toward the latter end of his rookie season, Exum played some outstanding defense. Whether it was picking the pockets of defenders, blocking jumpshots, scrambling over screens, or getting in the passing lanes, Exum did it with ease.

I am a big believer in Exum moving back into the starting line-up after a short period of time. He is Utah’s point guard of the future. This could reduce George Hill’s minutes to the late-teens or early-20’s, but the length that both guards possess allows for the chance that Hill and Exum share the floor for stretches.

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