And now, Dante Exum is back.
The Jazz and their prized restricted free agent agreed to a three-year deal worth $33 million on Tuesday, league sources tell The Tribune. ESPN.com was first to report on the agreement.
General manager Dennis Lindsey made Exum a priority during free agency, and sees him as a longterm piece for the Jazz. Exum is the only Jazz player this offseason to sign a deal guaranteed beyond next season.
Exum does have to stay healthy, however to realize all of his potential. After a rookie campaign in which he showed great promise defensively, he missed the following season with a torn ACL sustained during the summer.
Exum looked hugely impressive during summer league last year, then missed over 70 games with a separated shoulder sustained during preseason. But when he did return, he played well — especially against the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Jazz have limited money to use in free agency after re-signing Exum and Raul Neto earlier on Tuesday. They will have to decide on whether they guarantee the contracts of Ekpe Udoh and Jonas Jerebko. Beyond that, they appear to be almost finished, unless they decide against bringing Jerebko or Udoh back and dip into the free-agent market.
Tony began working at The Tribune in 2008. He covers the Utah Jazz, has an addiction to pick-up basketball and loves hip-hop music.