Utah Jazz: Dante Exum plays coy about future with team

Has former No. 5 overall pick Dante Exum played his last game in a Utah Jazz uniform? Uncertainty abounds about his basketball future.

This was supposed to be the year. Following multiple false starts — brought on by a litany of major injuries — the 2017-18 season was going to be our first real taste of what Dante Exum could do as an NBA player.

Instead, he spent the brunt of the season in a familiar spot, i.e. on the shelf. As a result, the former No. 5 overall pick is set to enter free agency and neither the Jazz, nor Exum, have a real great handle on what exactly the next phase is.

On Wednesday, the Jazz officially wrapped their season with locker clean-out, after which each player spoke with the media. Exum was no exception, but if you were looking for hints on where he thinks his career will go from here, you’re probably still looking.

The 22-year-old played it coy as relates to his impending free agency. Said Exum —

"“Hopefully, it all works out. But my agent is going to take care of all that. And I think, for me, as a player, I just need to control what I can control.”"

Exum did note that he thinks the Jazz want him back. That’s probably true, too; the organization has invested a lot in his development at this point and hope likely remains that the big payoff is around the corner.

One has to wonder, though, if Exum thinks that payoff will ever come in Utah. Injuries aside, he hasn’t always had a clear path to playing time with the Jazz. When he was drafted, Trey Burke was already on the team. Later, George Hill was brought on-board. This past season, Ricky Rubio and Donovan Mitchell dominated minutes on the guard line.

Even Shelvin Mack was taking court time away from Exum at one point.

Crazy, right? And I’m a Shelvin guy.

Here’s what we do know: barring some crazy, unforseen development, the Jazz will tender the qualifying offer required to make Exum a restricted free agent. From there, it becomes a cost/benefit analysis on both sides.

Not just in terms of salary either; the Jazz need to take a hard look at things and decide if Exum is truly worth more of their time/resources. He, in turn, needs to determine whether Utah offers him both a legit shot at realizing his potential, in addition to the long-term security every player seeks.

Next: The 2017-18 Utah Jazz: An Unexpected Season

Until decision time comes, expect him to continue to keep his cards close to his vest.