Dante Exum recently fell victim to a horrible ACL injury while playing for the Australian National team. Exum’s injury might set the Jazz plans for a playoff push this year but it appears that they don’t want to skip a beat.
While Exum’s skill can’t easily be replaced by any point guard available on the market, it appears that the team might be looking to bring in a guard that could be used as good defensive replacement for the next season. Plus, they have money to spend, so why not do it?
Following from Jody Genessy of the Deseret News.
It remains to be seen how long Dante Exum will be out with a torn ACL in his left knee, but the Utah Jazz are looking to shore up their point guard platoon in his absence.
The Jazz are interested in pursuing a trade for Wizards guard Garrett Temple, the Deseret News has been informed.
Jazz coach Quin Snyder is pushing for the deal, according to the source, because the 6-foot-6 Temple would give the team a big defensive presence in Exum’s absence.
Snyder and Temple established a good relationship when the guard was with the San Antonio Spurs at the end of the 2009-10 season. Snyder was the coach of the Spurs’ D-League affiliate, the Austin Toros, at the time.
Following from J.Michael of CSN Washington.
I just talked to Temple. Hasnt heard anything yet but admits "good relationship" w/Snyder from DLeague https://t.co/6kmGioJh2u
— J. Michael (@JMichaelCSN) August 6, 2015
It appears to be a match made in heaven for both sides. The Wizards need some cap relief and the Jazz have cap money to spend. Due to the fact that Utah is under the cap, they can not apply for an injured player exception to acquire another player, much like the Indiana Pacers did last season when Paul George went down with his injury. Their only path to bringing in another player would be signing someone or trading for them.
With the roster already full of offensive-minded guards like Trey Burke, Raul Neto and Bryce Cotton, bringing in a veteran that would focus more on the defensive end of the ball makes temple an ideal partner even with a guy like Alec Burks or Rodney Hood.
The 29-year-old guard is set to earn a minimum contract of $1.1 million this season after opting in with the Wizards during the offseason. The combo guard had 18 starts and averaged 3.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists last season with Washington.
