The Utah Jazz were dealt a substantial blow when point/shooting guard Dante Exum suffered a torn ACL in his left knee while playing for the Australian national team overseas. The fifth overall pick from the 2015 NBA Draft averaged only 4.8 points, 2.4 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 82 games as a rookie last season but he took over as Utah’s starting shooting guard down the stretch and the Jazz posted a 19-10 record over that span.
The fact that the team performed so well and Exum had a better defensive rating in March than Kawhi Leonard and Rudy Gobert opened eyes. It’s a big blow to the Jazz roster and his injury will open a spot in the lineup for somebody else to become relevant. Here is a look at four players whose projected fantasy value has been adjusted because of the injury.
Alec Burks, Shooting Guard
Burks had his 2014-15 season cut short because of a shoulder injury but he will be eager to get back in the lineup and Exum’s injury means he is projected to be Utah’s starting shooting guard – at least to start. Burks averaged 13.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 three-point shot in 27 games for the Jazz last season and he could prove he can still play at a high level.
Former first-round pick Rodney Hood will push Burks for playing time but Exum’s injury opens up the starting shooting guard role and should provide a boost in fantasy potential for both players. Gordon Hayward’s fantasy value won’t change as he remains the team’s most explosive scorer at the three but Burks will be expected to help contribute with Exum out.
Rodney Hood, Shooting Guard
Hood averaged 11.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 three-point shots per game in 26 contests after the All-Star break and while he has the potential to put up similar numbers with Exum out, it will be important to monitor the playing time situation between he and Burks. Hood has the obviously better long-term upside but Burks is the projected starter right now. One area where Hood gives the team a different look is his three-point shooting as Burks only made 0.6 per game last season. Hood can help them spread the floor a bit more.
Trey Burke, Point Guard
Burke took a major step forward in 76 games last season when he averaged 12.8 points, 4.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.6 three-point shots per game. The 2013 first-round pick will take on even more responsibility in his third NBA season. He probably benefits the most with Exum out as Exum played some point guard as well.
The injury should affect Burke’s status in a couple of ways. The fact that Exum was so good defensively last season could force Burke to take on a bigger role at that side of the floor this year to make up for his loss and that could negatively impact his offensive potential. However, Burks and Hood both have higher offensive upsides than Exum and that could provide more opportunities for assists. Burke has been criticized for a doing a little too much at times but he seems to have more help in the backcourt – at least at the offensive end – so that could give his assists a boost.
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Rudy Gobert, Center
Elijah Millsap likely won’t have a significant fantasy value this season barring another injury anyway and Bryce Cotton isn’t worth owning, so if there is another player whose fantasy value will be impacted by Exum’s injury it will be Gobert. There is no doubt about the defensive presence that Gobert brings to the lineup and with Exum out, he will have even more responsibility at that end of the floor. Gobert was an absolute beast in 29 games after the All-Star break when he averaged 11.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. Utah will need him to continue to progress with an emphasis on his defensive play now that Exum is out.
