The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz 2018 offseason checklist: Bigs, Burks and wing scoring

By Ryan Aston

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 4: Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz discusses a gameplay with his team before the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 4: Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz discusses a gameplay with his team before the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dante Exum Utah Jazz Raymond Felton OKC NBA Playoffs 18
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz drives around Raymond Felton #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 23, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

A true offseason for Dante Exum

As a restricted free agent, Dante Exum may or may not be back in a Jazz uniform next season. The team likely wants him back, but he remains something of a mystery, even after four years in the league.

This season was essentially his career in a microcosm — enthusiasm abounds, flashes of his potential follow, then the process ends with some kind of colossal setback. Rinse and repeat. Placing a dollar value on that kind of player will be difficult for Lindsey (it would be for any GM, really).

During Utah’s exit interviews, the No. 5 overall pick was excited that this wasn’t going to be a rehab summer for him. Believe me when I tell you that’s no small thing. Exum can help his own case, and perhaps give the Jazz some clarity, by having a productive, injury-free offseason.

Obviously, the Jazz won’t have the entire offseason to monitor his progress before making decision on him, but I’d be shocked if Exum was among the first wave of free agent signings. Between now and the moment he puts pen to paper, he needs to put his best foot forward and make some real progress.

Even if Exum and the Jazz ultimately part ways, you root for the kid to get a real shot at success.

Next: Alec Burks or nah?

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