Utah Jazz: Is Trey Burke Or Dante Exum Even a Question?

Quick story, one of my boys met the Utah Jazz starting point guard Trey Burke back in June right after the 2014 NBA Draft while they each were in Chicago for a memorabilia signing. My friend (let’s call him Red) told me that he was clowning around with Burke for a bit during their conversation about the upcoming season. Red asked what was his thoughts on mangement drafting Dante Exum, and then Red later asked him in a playful manner…

“Exum, about to take over. What you going to do when Exum starts this season over you?”

Being the down to earth and humble man that Burke is, they each laughed together and Burke didn’t say Exum would start. What he did say was they would play on the floor together and Exum would play the 2 guard spot.

With that being said, “What happens when a team has two players that potentially could become great, but they play the same position?” How can a team get those two players on the same page when they ultimately have to compete with each, but have to stay teammates.

More from Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz this season are going to face a lot of turmoil or a lot of amazing moments having two point guards in Burke and Exum competing for minutes with each other. Currently and rightfully so, Burke is the starting point guard of the Jazz, but how does Exum fit into the organization?

I remember on draft night getting so upset because Exum wasn’t the best fit for the Jazz. I couldn’t see why their management would consider taking him so high, or even at all. There was no need for a point guard, and I was upset they selected any other point guard before Marcus Smart.

There were players in the 2014 NBA Draft that would’ve made an impact on the Jazz roster immediately and help them translate into the playoff team they want to become. I was livid that they didn’t consider taking T.J. Warren, Doug McDermott, or Nik Stauskas. All of these players fit the Jazz more and I had no clue how drafting Exum with the fifth pick would benefit him or their organization.

Three months later, I’m saying the same thing. How is this situation going to work?

On another note: It’s crazy how recently the fifth pick in the NBA Draft has not really translated well. A once shoo-in pick for a talented player, the last two years have underwhelmed with their selections. That pick in the last two years has not produced starters in the NBA (Thomas Robinson 2012, Alex Len 2013).

Exum played poorly this summer to say the least. In the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League he averaged more turnovers than assists (3 to 2.8), shot a terrible 30 percent from the field, including 16 percent from the 3-point line, and often looked very fatigued.

In addition, at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Exum averaged 2.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and two assists per game. The good news is, in spite of all of his shortcomings during the summer we need to remember this is a project that might pay dividends greater than Burke ever could.

The 6’6″ Australian point guard has not played against the competition in the United States, where players are often the next great basketball saviors at 14 years old. In the United States, players are more athletic, more talented and began playing basketball from a younger age than other countries. Exum got his first taste of the extremely competitive game of basketball within the United States. I’m excited to see how he begins to develop as a player and watching his skills translate into the NBA game.

The move with Exum is a high-risk, high-reward pick because if he can translate into what he was in Australia, the Jazz have an All-Star point guard that arguably will stay in their rotation for the next five years. The guard already has the frame to turn into one of the best point guards in the league. Back when he played for the U-19 Australian National team Exum lead the Australian team with 18.2 points a game, grabbed 3.6 rebounds while also leading the team in assists with 3.8 per game.

Though the point guard spot is already taken by Burke, thankfully the NBA has ushered into an era of positionless basketball (I absolutely love it). Which brings me to Burke’s earlier idea … teams are running a lot more two point guard sets (Phoenix, Miami) and it helps change tempo and offensive looks. If Exum manages to find his rhythm and stay on the court with Burke, a lot of people (myself included) are interested in seeing if they can co exist in the same backcourt.

That combination between the two can look great because one part of Exum’s game that already is noticeable is his decision-making when running the pick and roll. Having Exum run the pick and roll with Enes Kanter or Derrick Favors and having Burke, or Gordon Hayward in the corner, on the wing, or cutting to the basket, ready to aggressively look for a scoring opportunity is a good problem to have. In addition, there is never a bad idea with having three guys in the lineup who can create shots for other people a lineup of Hayward, Burke and Exum does just that.

So far early into the training camp and first practices, Exum has turned heads with his competitiveness.

In an interview with the Salt Lake Tribune, head coach Quin Snyder said this about Exum:

"“They’ve been competing against each other,” Quin Snyder said. “Dante’s thrown himself into it defensively and they’re making each other better.”"

Earning Snyder’s praise is one aspect of growing up and gaining more trust. Showing it on the court is another. During the first two games of the preseason Burke has outscored Exum 33-10. He’ll play better eventually. I don’t want to see it happen when he’s not in a Jazz uniform.

Stay tuned, and get ready to see one of the interesting point guard competitions I have ever watched. If we ever want to see Exum’s true potential getting reached eventually this will turn out to become one.

People love to draft potential and develop projects. A lot of times, projects with potential don’t workout (Jan Vesely, Ekpe Udoh, Hasheem Thabeet, Marvin Williams) but sometimes it does (Russell Westbrook, Paul George). Is the risk greater than the reward?

How about for now, we choose Burke.

Home/Utah Jazz