Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell All-Star Weekend recap

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks to the media after winning the dunk contest during the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks to the media after winning the dunk contest during the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 20: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz looks on prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at vivint.SmartHome Arena on January 20, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 20: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz looks on prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at vivint.SmartHome Arena on January 20, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

Donovan has high praise for Dante Exum

As exhilarating as this season has been for the Utah Jazz, particularly the recent 11-game win streak and as fun as Mitchell’s rise to stardom has been, I think all Jazz fans would agree when I say the one thing that has been missing has been watching Dante Exum blossom alongside the rookie phenom.

Mitchell and Exum looked stunning together during Summer League and their chemistry appeared to be off the charts. Missing out on seeing them in action during the regular season this year has indeed been disappointing.

However, Mitchell made some interesting comments about his Aussie teammate during All-Star Weekend that ought to make Jazz fans and Exum stans giddy with delight. In short, he praised Exum for being a great influence and teammate for him, alluding to the exciting connection they had when taking the court together.

When Exum does make his return, which is presumably going to be in the month of March, it will be fascinating to see these two reunited and witness how they coexist with each other. Although Exum has struggled with injuries throughout his NBA career, it’s important to remember that he’s just 22 years old, a mere year older than Mitchell.

If he comes back healthy, the two of them could have a long-lasting and successful career together as a potent backcourt for the Utah Jazz.