Exum must be a top tier defender
When Dante Exum has been healthy, one of the biggest issues has been his consistency. While defense has typically been his strong suit, he has been up and down through the years.
As a rookie, defense was the most promising asset to Exum’s game. As a very raw 19 year old, he still stood at 6’6″ with a 6’10” wingspan. He was able to use that early on to pester opposing guards, and posted an impressive 99 defensive rating.
Jazz Defense before/after Dante Exum became starter
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 5, 2015
Before: 99.1 PPG allowed, Opponents shot 46%
After: 90.6 PPG, Opponents shot 43%
That defensive prowess is what led to Exum taking over the starting point guard duties from Trey Burke that season. He played in all 82 games, and started in 41.
It looked as though Exum had positioned himself to be the starting point guard of the future for the Jazz, but then the ever so familiar injuries starting showing up. He tore his ACL prior to the start of the next year, and would miss his entire sophomore season.
Returning from the ACL injury in his third year as a pro, Exum seemed to have lost some of that defensive tenacity and focus. His defensive rating slipped, and his playing time dropped because of it.
After missing all of last season due to a dislocated shoulder, Exum came back with renewed defensive focus. That was on full display against James Harden and the Houston Rockets.
When it was all said and done, Harden shot just 3-of-14 from the field and 0-of-5 from three when defended by Exum in the playoffs. He was only fouled four times in 55 possessions, and the Rockets were 12.4 points worse when Harden was defended by Exum.
If I am the Jazz, I need to see that Exum can play that level of defense over the course of a full season. If he never improves his offensive game from where it is currently, but can be one of the top defensive wings in the league, then he will have earned that $33 million contract of his.