The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Eight intriguing (albeit difficult to pull off) Dante Exum trade ideas

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 13: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrives to the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 13, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 13: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrives to the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 13, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 9: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic shoots a free throw during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 9, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 9: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic shoots a free throw during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 9, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). /

D.J. Augustin

2019-20 Salary: $7.25 million

If the Jazz are looking for a backup point guard that’s a bit more reliable than Mudiay or Exum, they may be wise to go with a more consistent guy like D.J. Augustin. Augustin isn’t having an exceptional 2019-20 campaign thus far as his numbers are down somewhat, but he’s still been solid the past two years in Orlando.

In 2018-19, Augustin averaged 11.7 points in 81 games played while shooting 42.1 percent from deep and 47 percent from the field. He’s a savvy veteran who is plenty capable of running a second unit offense, and he’s a good teammate and a willing defender. He would bring an intelligence and toughness to the Jazz backup backcourt that is missing under its current construction.

My J-Notes colleague Caleb Manser recently spoke on D.J. Augustin as a potential fit for the Jazz as well, which you can read up on at this link here.

Why the Magic MIGHT do it:

The Orlando Magic have had ample success with the reclamation project of Markelle Fultz. Perhaps they’d be willing to take on another and try their luck on former number five overall draft pick Dante Exum?

Not only that, but the Magic, despite being a playoff team last year and currently, are pretty well-mired in mediocrity. If they want to escape that trend, it may make more sense to look to stockpile assets, which the Jazz could include in an Exum trade, rather than hold on to the contract of a veteran Augustin.

Magic coach Steve Clifford is good at getting the most out of his roster and putting guys in a position to succeed, and the Magic may do better planning for the future and investing in more of a youth movement in which Exum would fit. They are in no way a championship contender this year, so Augustin doesn’t really fit into their long term plans. If they were willing to take a risk on Exum, it would do them little harm and could get them an additional pick or two while providing the Jazz with a crafty veteran to aid in their bench struggles and playoff push.