One of the reasons we decided not to go for broke in this year's free agency is the fact that we were not going to be contenders either way and that by getting starting level PG it would stunt Dante's progress and would take minutes away from him. I thought the timing was absolutely perfect to let him grow into his role while we keep fortifying our identity around lengthy stifling defense(with Exum and Gobert being two of the key pieces in the paint and on the perimeter respectively). At the same time we were a winning team even with Dante on the floor last year and his progress was supposed to keep us in the fight for playoff spots and possibly we could even get in there(we still might).
This injury is absolutely horrible timing-wise. It screws up not only Dante's development, but also the team building and team plan. This 2015/2016 season was supposed to be one more season of internal growth and improvement without the full pressure of playoff pursuit and the main part of that internal growth was supposed to be Dante and him getting to a point where he's useful not only on defense but also on offense. It was supposed to be the year that gives us a better idea of what we can expect from Exum in the future years.
Now we are left hanging in the air. The whole team was already waiting for the PG spot to catch-up with the rest of the team. And that was acceptable because we weren't going to be contenders this season anyways. Now not only there is no chance of the PG core to catch up with the rest of the team, but it's very possible our main PG-piece will be taking a short-term step back when he returns one year in the future. This would mean in the year Hayward can opt out, Exum will be returning from his injury and we will NEED to show some serious potential to contend in order to have a good chance at keeping Hayward.
Now what are the options we have to consider if we think Exum won't be ready to tangibly contribute in year 3?
Do we draft another PG next year and do we think he'd be more capable of contributing than Exum returning from ACL surgery? Do we make a run at some high-level PG either in FA(Mike Conley will be FA and Jazz will have 40-45 million to spend next summer - yeah, I know it's not very realistic target since about 25 teams will have capspace to offer him max, but still putting it out there as an option) or in a trade so Exum won't be pressured to perform right away at extremely high level coming back from an ACL reconstruction and so he can be eased back into the team while learning from a vet PG? Do we get a stop-gap PG next season? Or even this season? Should we be thinking about moving Hayward if he gives any indications that he will likely explore FA and won't be returning to Utah before his contract expires so we can at least get something for him? Those are all question that the FO would need to consider.
This injury is absolutely horrible timing-wise. It screws up not only Dante's development, but also the team building and team plan. This 2015/2016 season was supposed to be one more season of internal growth and improvement without the full pressure of playoff pursuit and the main part of that internal growth was supposed to be Dante and him getting to a point where he's useful not only on defense but also on offense. It was supposed to be the year that gives us a better idea of what we can expect from Exum in the future years.
Now we are left hanging in the air. The whole team was already waiting for the PG spot to catch-up with the rest of the team. And that was acceptable because we weren't going to be contenders this season anyways. Now not only there is no chance of the PG core to catch up with the rest of the team, but it's very possible our main PG-piece will be taking a short-term step back when he returns one year in the future. This would mean in the year Hayward can opt out, Exum will be returning from his injury and we will NEED to show some serious potential to contend in order to have a good chance at keeping Hayward.
Now what are the options we have to consider if we think Exum won't be ready to tangibly contribute in year 3?
Do we draft another PG next year and do we think he'd be more capable of contributing than Exum returning from ACL surgery? Do we make a run at some high-level PG either in FA(Mike Conley will be FA and Jazz will have 40-45 million to spend next summer - yeah, I know it's not very realistic target since about 25 teams will have capspace to offer him max, but still putting it out there as an option) or in a trade so Exum won't be pressured to perform right away at extremely high level coming back from an ACL reconstruction and so he can be eased back into the team while learning from a vet PG? Do we get a stop-gap PG next season? Or even this season? Should we be thinking about moving Hayward if he gives any indications that he will likely explore FA and won't be returning to Utah before his contract expires so we can at least get something for him? Those are all question that the FO would need to consider.
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