The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: The four toughest decisions facing the team this summer

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 4: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz is introduced 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. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 4: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz is introduced 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. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz Dante Exum
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 04: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz watches from the bench in the second half during Game Three of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs as the Houston Rockets beat the Jazz 113-92 at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Dante Exum’s free agency

While Favors ultimately has a say in where he ends up in free agency, Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum has less flexibility. As a restricted free agent, the Jazz can match any offer sent his way and keep him on the team if they so desire.

In reality, this so-called tough decision has the potential to not be so tough after all. It appears quite clear that the Jazz are still high on Dante, still believe in his ability to reach his high ceiling, and that they want to keep him on the team. If they’re able to lock him up quick with an agreeable offer or if no hefty offer sheets from opposing teams come his way, then they’ll likely just settle things easy peasy.

However, all it takes is one team sending a big offer his way to totally throw a wrench in things. According to a report from about a month ago, speculation around the league is that Exum could receive offers right around two-year, $18-20 million. At $9-10 million per year, I’d venture a guess that the Jazz would be pretty open to matching to keep him on board.

But say a team gets daring and goes above that? Then the Jazz have to make the tough decision of whether or not Exum’s reward is worth the risk.

He’s certainly shown potential in his young NBA career despite all the injury setbacks he’s faced. His quickness is an incredible asset and his potential to become a lock-down defender was in full display in the playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

But his ball-handling, offensive control and shooting are all iffy at best. And that’s not even bringing up his shaky injury history. The Jazz like Exum and, particularly with their solid track record for developing players, still believe that he can turn into something special. However, if he’s thrown a hefty offer, the Jazz will have to decide whether keeping him is truly worth potentially handicapping their financial flexibility for years down the road.

The good news is that in a tight market, teams that know Exum far less than the Jazz do will likely be hesitant to throw money at him for the same risks I just brought up. If all 29 teams around the league are gun-shy and don’t feel comfortable making a big gamble on Exum, the Jazz will probably retain him quite easily.

But like I said, all it takes is one team…

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