The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Five reasons to look forward to the 2018-19 season

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates after Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates after Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 2: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 2: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dante Exum’s healthy return

It’s unfortunate to say it, but the fact of the matter is that Dante Exum‘s career has been a disappointment thus far. On the bright side, his struggles haven’t exactly been his fault. Instead, he’s been plagued with injuries that have prevented him from playing as well as he would have liked.

In last season’s Summer League and preseason, Dante Exum looked about as healthy as he’d ever appeared and many believed he was primed for a breakout season. Unfortunately, the Basketball Gods frowned down upon him once again as he suffered a shoulder injury prior to the start of the regular season that would keep him out of action for most of the year.

Once he returned, the rust was evident as was his lack of conditioning and it took him quite a lot of time to adjust. However, once he got going in the series against the Houston Rockets, he was one of Utah’s stingiest perimeter defenders and he showed promise in other areas as well.

And while the shoulder injury plagued him throughout the year, Exum is fully healthy this summer, and as such, he should have ample time to work on his game and improve heading into next season. The Jazz have had high hopes for Exum for a while and, as long as he stays healthy, I truly believe that 2018-19 will be his big year.

If Exum even lives up to a fraction of the overwhelming potential he had when Utah selected him 5th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, he should be a leading candidate for the Most Improved Player Award in 2018-19. He’s largely disappointed up to this point in his career, but if he comes back strong this next year, catching casual fans and the media off guard, he could very well be one of the most surprising players of the season.

Jazz fans were treated to witnessing Donovan Mitchell be on Rookie of the Year watch all season long last year. If all goes well this summer and into next season, Dante Exum could be on Most Improved Player watch.

Whether it turns out that way or not, getting a full healthy offseason out of Exum and therefore presumably having him at full strength and shape for the 2018-19 is reason for absolute euphoria.

Home/Jazz News