We’re rooting for these three players, even though they’re not members of the Utah Jazz anymore.
The Utah Jazz have seen men come and go from their starting lineup just like every team in the NBA, and just like every team in the NBA, some guys matter more to the fandom than others. Some guys leave and a hole in the fandom’s heart never fully heals. Other guys who leave, leave on good terms but find themselves struggling due to injuries or declining play.
It can be hard to see your favorite leave, but that doesn’t mean you stop rooting for them. Sure, the Jazz should be the team you want to win every game, but just because you want your team to win, doesn’t mean you want everyone else to suffer. That’s just not the case, or at least that shouldn’t be the case.
So when the Jazz play teams this year with former players, we want those guys to win. We want them to be healthy and play well. We just prefer they’re healthy and playing well when the Jazz aren’t in town. If they’re not playing the Utah Jazz, we’re hoping the ex-Jazz stars are doing great. Dropping dimes and destroying competition.
We still love these players, especially these three, as they’ve gone through some trying times since leaving. So, with that, let’s see what three players we’re hoping play very well this year.
Just not too well when it’s against the Jazz.
Joe Ingles
When it comes to Joe Ingles, he’s a name that fans will truly never stop loving. He was an older addition, joining the NBA from the NBL in Australia at the age of 27. Despite his advanced age when he joined up with the Jazz, he became the type of player they would build their success around.
He could shoot, play defense, rebound, and pass. His versatility was his best asset, and it complimented the likes of Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gobert, and Donovan Mitchell very well. Yet, a rebuild, a torn ACL, and the sands of time all came to gang up on Ingles.
He was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers, before going on to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks and now he’s with the Orlando Magic. While his minutes have declined, his production has not. He’s still a quality offensive asset if you’re trying to boost your team’s efficiency. He’s not as quick as he used to be, and he can get beat to the rim a bit too easily now, but he’s still viable.
It’s unlikely the Magic make the NBA Finals this year, but if the Jazz can’t win it all, we’re hoping one of the three men on this list, including Ingles does.
Dante Exum
Dante Exum is a sad, but also curious case. Like Joe Ingles, Exum came from Australia but only in this case, Exum was a teenage rookie. He had great upside, and like with Ingles, came in with a penchant for great perimeter defense. Yet, as time went on, Exum’s expected offensive set didn’t develop.
His shooting was never there when he was with Utah, and then the injuries came. He’s only hit 80 games once, 60 games twice, and 40 games three times in his career. That means that only three, of seven pro seasons in the NBA, saw him hit half a season.
After being dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Exum failed to showcase any real improvement, and the team opted to move on from him. He would end up signing with FC Barcelona of the Liga ACB, and later with KK Partizan of the ABA; both leagues being part of the EuroLeague.
While in Europe, he improved his three-point shot tremendously, shooting 42% from behind the line during his two seasons. Now, at 28, he’s healthy and returning to NBA via the Dallas Mavericks.
We’re hoping Exum finally lives up to his lofty hype.
Gordon Hayward
Gordon Hayward’s departure hurt fans. He joined up with the Boston Celtics in 2017, rocking Jazz-nation. Fresh off his first and so far only All-Star appearance, the dynamic and multi-skilled forward left a team that was about to get Donovan Mitchell. If Mitchell and Hayward had played together, it’s very likely that the Jazz make the conference finals at least.
Yet, off Hayward went to Boston, where tragedy struck. Hayward would snap his lower leg in two after playing just five minutes of action for the Celtics. It was the home opener against, ironically enough, the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that the Jazz keep having ties to. After Hayward’s injury, he would rehab and come back the next season but he didn’t look right.
He’d regain his form eventually and would eventually end up in Charlotte with the Hornets on a mega deal. During his time with Charlotte, he’s played very well, averaging over 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game, while putting up shooting splits of .470/.380/.834 across that stretch of action.
The Hornets aren’t likely to compete this year, and the team should trade Hayward. Hopefully, assuming Hayward isn’t dealt to the Jazz, wherever he lands he lands with a contender. He’s one of those guys who deserves t win a ring.
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