Dante Exum’s faltering season has cost him a place in Utah’s NBA squad, with the Jazz demoting the Australian to their D-League affiliate.
The 21-year-old will train with the Salt Lake City Stars on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) rather than preparing with the first team for their clash with Cleveland the following day.
Exum, who was taken by the Jazz at pick No.5 in the 2014 draft, has averaged 6.3 points from 29 games in his comeback season from more than a year out with a knee injury.
The guard has struggled for court time in recent weeks.
He missed a seven-game stretch starting last month due to knee tendonitis before playing 14 minutes for two points in his return against Toronto last week.
Despite being fit, Exum has been left on the bench by coach Quin Snyder for the Jazz’s past two matches.
He has found himself behind star point guard George Hill and Snyder’s preferred back-up Shelvin Mack, having endured his first ‘did not play – coach’s decision in a game in November.
Exum’s 2016-17 season began positively when he started six of eight games when Hill was injured in November before his court time plummeted with the American’s return.
Exum was forced to sit out last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee suffered while playing for Australia in mid-2015 in preparation for the Oceania Olympic qualifiers.
The Stars next play Austin Spurs at home on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
Mushi
Guest
It's interesting you look at his splits (about half half starter/bench) and he's really only been okay when used in the 10-15 minute range against other benches. It's sad to say, as we don't want to knock an Aussie, but I just am not sure what his area of expertise is in the NBA. I'd have thought he would have at least become a version of rubio light that can move, pass and defend by now. He doesn't seem to be passing, shooting, penetrating or defending on ball well which isn't a great combination for a point guard.
Red Kev
Guest
Seems like they just don't see him as a back up. They'll either use him in place of Hill, their starter, or not at all.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
This is overblown - no question. He's going down to get practice as the Jazz aren't playing. It's not unusual. However... it is bad news. He just hasn't played well enough behind Hill, but of course he's still learning.