The J-Notes
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The Utah Jazz 2017-18 Christmas List

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Utah Jazz fans try to disrupt an Oklahoma City Thunder free throw attempt in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Utah Jazz fans try to disrupt an Oklahoma City Thunder free throw attempt in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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JULY 10, 2017: SYDNEY, NSW – (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Basketball star Dante Exum of Utah Jazz poses during a photo shoot ay Crows Nest in Sydney, New South Wales. (Photo by Dylan Robinson/Newspix/Getty Images)
JULY 10, 2017: SYDNEY, NSW – (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Basketball star Dante Exum of Utah Jazz poses during a photo shoot ay Crows Nest in Sydney, New South Wales. (Photo by Dylan Robinson/Newspix/Getty Images) /

2. An early Dante Exum return

This is related to health, but the Jazz could certainly benefit from Dante Exum returning to action sooner than expected. The electrifying guard looked absolutely sensational during summer league and preseason prior to his injury and one of the most exciting aspects of the upcoming year was going to be watching he and Donovan Mitchell play together in the backcourt.

Unfortunately, injuries derailed that wish and the Jazz have certainly missed his budding offense and playmaking ability. At times when Rodney Hood has been struggling or Utah’s offense hasn’t been able to find a rhythm, it’s been impossible not to wonder how beneficial Exum’s presence might have been.

The Jazz are in dire need of another weapon on offense and could certainly always use another savvy defender as Exum has proven to be, so hopefully his recovery can be accelerated and he’ll be back in action earlier than projected and in time for a playoff push. If Exum is able to come back strong and maintain any semblance of the play he exhibited prior to the season’s start, he could provide an incredible boost for the Jazz moving forward.

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