Utah Jazz point guard Dante Exum may not be playing in the 2015–16 season after suffering a torn Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing for Australia in an exhibition game Tuesday against Slovenia.
Utah radio announcer Tim Montemayor first revealed the news through a tweet that said, "I am told Dante Exum was diagnosed with a torn ACL in the arena in Slovenia and the #Jazz will confirm that diagnosis ASAP."
It was a non-contact injury as Exum went down after a jump stop move in the paint just past the charity stripe.
According to a report by Sports Illustrated, Exum immediately received treatment after going down and the Jazz announced that he will head to Salt Lake City to be evaluated by the team's medical staff.
Along with the possibility of missing the NBA season, it is very likely that the 20-year-old point guard will not be able to join Australia in the FIBA Oceania championships, which will begin on Aug. 15.
Exum was the Jazz's first-round pick, fifth overall in 2014 and was expected to be one of the players to help the team resurge but he failed to meet the hype.
He played in all 82 games last regular season, including 41 starts and averaged only 4.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 22.2 minutes of action per outing.
Utah finished 11th in the Western Conference during the 2014–15 season with a 38–44 record as they missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Despite his performance last year, Exum was expected to step up big time next season and is a part of a young core for the Jazz that features the likes of forwards Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors, guard Trey Burke, and center Rudy Gobert.
Whether or not the Jazz can contend in the West next season despite having a group of young guys remains a question, since they were silent in the offseason and did not add a significant player to their roster.
