Dante Exum has not yet lived up to the considerable expectations that accompany a top-five pick, but many forecasted something of a breakout season for the Utah Jazz guard in 2017-2018. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old will likely have to wait to make an impact for Quin Snyder’s team, as Exum suffered what appears to be a serious shoulder injury during Utah’s preseason game on Friday evening.
https://twitter.com/thefuzznba/status/916542492689833984
Immediately, it was clear that Exum was in significant pain after taking a fall against the Phoenix Suns and, on Saturday morning, Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune reported more context. The report indicates that Exum “could miss a significant amount of time” as a result of the injury and, while the Jazz have not confirmed, the injury has been described as a separated left shoulder that also includes ligament damage.
While the timetable for return is sketchy based on lack of information, the reported diagnosis is not ideal for Exum and the Jazz. From a team standpoint, Utah can rely more heavily on Ricky Rubio and rookie Donovan Mitchell but, in the same breath, this is a big season for evaluating Exum’s future and, without more information about his game and the injury, things become murky in a hurry.
Update: ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports Exum’s shoulder injury is severe enough that it may keep him out for the entire season, but the Jazz are still discussing what his timetable will be.
Sources: Utah's Dante Exum could miss season with separated left shoulder. Doctors, Jazz officials conferring on recovery/timetable options.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 7, 2017
