Utah Jazz: Dante Exum return could be very imminent

According to reports from The Athletic’s Tony Jones, the return of Utah Jazz wing Dante Exum should be right around the corner.

Dante Exum has become one of the more polarizing figures on the Utah Jazz roster. Some fans have seemingly completely given up on him, writing him off as little more than an injury-prone bust. Others, deeming themselves members of Exum Island, have remained strong in their belief in the young Australian guard, citing his brilliant flashes of excellence on both ends of the floor as evidence that a high ceiling still exists for him.

Regardless of where any particular fan stands, it’s undeniable that it’s been frustrating to see him out of action. Injury after injury has held Dante up from ever reaching his potential, and the start of the 2019-20 campaign has been no different. Although there was early speculation that Exum could be ready to go by the regular season opener, we’re now seven games into the season and he has yet to play.

However, recent news on that front seems to indicate that Exum’s return is very near.

First, The Athletic’s Tony Jones hit us with the promising report that despite there being no definitive date, Exum has been progressing well, participated in contact 5-on-5 and has no pain in his knee.

That would all appear to be incredible news as the contact 5-on-5 and absence of pain would indicate a return is near. But, as Tony mentioned, with the Jazz being overly patient with Exum to avoid further injury or re-aggravation and ensure he’s 100 percent, it’s hard to guess just how truly near Dante’s return really is.

But in a later tweet from Monday afternoon, we got some additional insight which seems to indicate that soon actually means really soon.

Tony Jones added that, while it’s still not set in stone, due to Exum’s progress, he very well could make his debut as early as Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Considering the length and size of the Bucks as well as the many prolific scoring wings they possess, having Dante back for that bout with his exceptional on-ball defense would be a welcome sight for sore eyes. Of course, he’ll almost certainly have a considerable amount of rust and likely won’t log that many minutes as he works himself back into shape and game speed, but just seeing him return to action will be an encouraging sign for Jazz fans.

Even if Exum is able to return and acclimate quickly, he’ll have his work cut out for him carving out a spot in the rotation. Backup point guard Emmanuel Mudiay has put together some nice showings for the Jazz in his initial games with the new team, so in order to replace him, Exum will have to prove he can be sound both defensively and in decision making, something that has plagued him in years past.

Obviously, it will take Exum time to get back in a groove and he deserves patience as he does so. But once he gets there, if he’s able to defend at the level we’ve seen him be capable of, clean up his turnovers and further utilize his quick first step to immobilize defenses, he could be a vital part of Utah’s second unit.

There will almost certainly be updates on Exum’s status between now and Friday, and of course the Jazz can’t afford to get distracted with a daunting bout against the Philadelphia 76ers between then and now on Wednesday. Whatever news arises, though, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed here on The J-Notes.

Regardless of whether or not fate allows Dante to make his long-awaited return on Friday, the fact that it’s even a possibility is a highly encouraging sign and solid evidence that he will indeed be back quite soon. Following the game against the Bucks, the Jazz enjoy a nice seven-game stretch against very beatable teams. Ideally they’ll take advantage and those contests will give Dante Exum a nice, pressure-free chance to get his feet back under him.

To reach their greatest potential, the Utah Jazz most certainly need him to remain healthy and revert back to the force he’s so briefly proven capable of in the past.