Will the Utah Jazz regret keeping Dante Exum rather than shipping him to Memphis?
By Josh Padmore
During the February trade deadline, the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies were engaged in discussions regarding a potential deal involving Mike Conley. The Jazz refused to give up Dante Exum in any trade, making the trade fall through.
Utah Jazz point guard Dante Exum has gobs of potential, especially on the defensive end. It’s easy to see why the Jazz value him so much. He defended James Harden during the 2018 NBA Playoffs just about as well as anyone I’ve seen.
Regardless, the Jazz had an opportunity to land Mike Conley ahead of a the trade deadline; a big-time name despite not ever being named an All-Star and a player who could’ve pushed them to a new level in their current playoff race and beyond. Rumor has it that they needed only to include Exum as part of the compensation package to get a deal done.
They refused to let Exum go, which may have been what caused the trade to fall through. It’s a decision that could end up haunting them in the months and years ahead.
Salt Lake City isn’t the most glamorous and attractive free agent destination. And, given the recent drama involving the banned Jazz fan’s racist comments, it could become even less attractive to players around the league. I know, one fan doesn’t represent an entire fanbase, but it happened and will be relevant in free agents’ decisions.
The chances of landing a player the caliber of Conley in free agency will likely be extremely difficult, even though Utah’s young core is excellent.
My point is, by refusing to give up the injury-plagued Exum in a Conley trade, the Jazz bypassed an opportunity to circumvent the process.
It’s unfortunate, but it’s the reality.
The Jazz need a free agent signing like the Indiana Pacers needed David West in 2011. West turned down an offer from the Boston Celtics, and led the Pacers to being as close as one game to the NBA Finals. The problem is, you don’t see many players like that signing with small market teams.
Utah clinging to Exum is looking even worse after the former lottery pick suffered yet another setback — a partially-torn patella tendon. He’s likely going to miss the rest of the season, a season in which he only played in 42 games.
The kid has so much upside, but just can’t stay healthy. If that continues to be the case, one has to wonder whether that untapped potential will ever manifest itself.
Related Story. Dante Exum hit with another potentially devastating injury. light
Mike Conley doesn’t rely on athletic ability. He’s 31 years old, but I could see him continuing to play at a really high level into his mid-thirties, as long as he stays healthy. Getting Conley would have been a huge get for the Jazz, and Dante would have been in a good situation with the Grizzlies.
One where he isn’t benched after committing a turnover.
At this point, though, it looks as though both he and the Jazz will miss out.