Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dante Exum is playing considerably better since arriving in Cleveland from Utah.
Dante Exum has been playing considerably better since arriving in Cleveland via trade. The Cavaliers acquired Exum from Utah as they sent Jordan Clarkson to the Jazz at the end of December.
Dante Exum averaged 2.2 points on 43.5% shooting (33.3 3PT) with 1.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 7.5 minutes per game while in Utah. Those numbers have increased across the board while in Cleveland. Exum now averages 6.8 points on 51% shooting (40% 3PT) with 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.8 minutes per game.
The increase in playing time can be attributed to where the Cavaliers and Jazz stand at this point in time. Utah is a playoff team right now while Cleveland is a lottery team. The Jazz could not afford to see what Dante Exum has to offer. Meanwhile, Cleveland can. The Cavs are in a position to take a flier on someone to see what they can provide. This is exactly what they did. Giving Exum a chance to shed the bust label that many have applied to him.
Will Dante Exum be a a part of Cleveland’s long term plans? Maybe, maybe not. Exum is in his age 24 season and it is not out of the question for Cleveland to incorporate him into their team building process.
The Cavs are a long way away from contending. What is most likely to happen is that they will give Exum a chance to rebuild his value before trading him prior to a trade deadline. That trade deadline could be the one a few weeks away or next year. Until the Cavaliers are in a position to contend, taking fliers on players like Dante Exum in order to acquire more assets and build through the draft is the way to go.
