As much as I believe in Dante Exum's potential, I really think the Jazz should consider packaging him & a pick or 2 in order to acquire D'Angelo Russell. Obviously, this would depend on what else would be required to do so. I would first attempt to package several picks (this year's, OKC, GSW, & future 1sts) with some combination of Burke, Burks, Hood, Booker. If that's not an option, I would strongly consider Exum & this year's pick (& even 1 of OKC/GSW). Now, while this would almost certainly be an overpay, there are several reasons why this should at the very least be considered.
1. The team is ready to win now & Russell appears more ready to contribute next year than Exum does.
2. As this year has proven, with Favors & Gobert up front, our defense will be good enough regardless of who is in the backcourt.
3. As this year has proven, the team is lacking the offense necessary to truly compete. While defense may be what gets you there, you still need that guy who can take over a playoff series offensively.
4. Russell is the closest thing to an available (to the Jazz at least) player who has the potential to be an elite-level scorer. As much as I like Hezonja, Russell seems to be the much safer pick & while I do value defense over offense, I realize that you need to have the right amount of balance on both sides of the ball. Utah is unlikely to be able to acquire that type of player via FA or trade, so the draft is most likely their only opportunity to do so.
As much as I would prefer the balance & flexibility of a team consisting of Exum (pass first PG, great defense), Russell (elite scorer), Hayward (all-around player), Favors (great defense, enough offensive ability), & Gobert (elite defense) with Burks (great slasher/finisher) running the 2nd unit as our 6th man, that may not be an option. Russell & Gobert would give us an elite player on each side of the ball with Hayward (great offense, good defense) & Favors (great defense, good offense) rounding out the starting 5 (plus the best PG/SG/SF that we can acquire to play alongside those 4).
I have by no means given up on Exum, but considering the roster we currently have & the rate at which it is developing, I think it is something that has to be given consideration. I'm all for stockpiling assets, but the team seems to be reaching the stage of condensing those assets in order to acquire that missing piece that puts us over the top, which is a true #1 offensive option. Again, this may not even be a possibility, in which case, the team should continue accumulating assets & hope to eventually package them for a James Harden type, like Houston was able to do.
