Utah Jazz fan wish list for the upcoming 2018-19 season

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 4: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

A breakout year for Dante Exum

It’s been over four years in the making, but Jazz fans have waited patiently for Dante Exum to develop into a player worthy of the fifth overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft. Injuries have largely prevented him from being able to do so, but with a full offseason of work under his belt and assuming he can stay healthy this upcoming year, 2018-19 might finally be the year that he breaks out.

Jazz brass certainly seems to think he’s capable of as much, evidenced by the hefty three-year, $33 million deal they handed him this summer. Exum has shown flashes of brilliance, but his growth has been stifled by various setbacks time after time. However, based on what he’s shown so far and what he’ll be making in 2018-19, it’s absolutely justified to believe that this could be the year that he finally goes off.

One way or another, the Jazz are going to need a third star if they’re going to be able to keep pace with the league’s best. Most likely, that third star will have to come over via trade or free agency next summer. But how nice would it be if instead, Utah could just continue to grow organically and Exum could be that third star?

That’s a tall order for 2018-19, but could still come to fruition down the road. For now, the wish list item should be that Exum has a career year and proves himself a worthy member of Utah’s rotation and a constant impact player on both ends of the floor. I’ve said it in former pieces before, but I think it’s absolutely realistic to expect Exum to be in contention for the Most Improved Player Award.

If he’s even in that mix, it will be a big win for the Jazz organization and fans.

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