Cleveland Cavaliers: What’s fair to expect from Dante Exum?

Dante Exum has the makings of a nice reserve option for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

When it comes to the state of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a lot remains up in the air as the 2020-21 season is set to begin shortly. One of those questions is how the Cavaliers will use Dante Exum and what are realistic expectations for the former fifth overall pick.

Though Exum will be in his seventh season, he is just 25 years old and, at times last season, showed flashes of why the Utah Jazz made him the fifth overall pick back in 2014. A major factor for Exum’s inability to sustain success on the court has been the numerous injuries he’s suffered over the years.

While Exum played in all 82 games his rookie season of 2014-15, he would miss the entire 2015-16 season after tearing his ACL in August. His third season in the league saw him play in 66 games, but since then, Exum has played in just 91 of a possible 226 games over the past three seasons, in large part due to shoulder and knee ailments.

That said, when he’s available, he could be a productive rotational player for the Cavs.

So what’s fair to expect from Exum next season for the Cavs, then?

At 6-foot-5 and 214 pounds, Exum is a nice-sized combo guard for today’s NBA game, and he can be a solid piece when he’s able to go.

He’s quick at getting to the rim, and when he is paired on the floor with Darius Garland and Collin Sexton at times, he can help cover for their defensive deficiencies by being able to guard positions 1-3 on the floor. He’s a pretty heady team defender/rotator, too, and he could help Kevin Porter Jr. in his defensive progression behind-the-scenes as well.

In just his sixth game after being acquired by the Cavaliers, Exum flashed that lottery pick potential as he scored 28 points on 11-of-13 shooting (and four-of-four from three-point range) versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, Exum could not capitalize on that performance as he would miss the next three games with a severe illness.

After returning from that illness, Exum only put up 34 total points in the final ten games of January. In late February, Exum flashed again at the Miami Heat, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds in a loss. But just two nights later, Exum would suffer an ankle injury and missed the final eight games before the NBA season was shutdown due to novel coronavirus concerns.

So what can the organization really expect from Exum this season? First and foremost, he needs to be able to stay healthy. Cleveland does have quite a few young guards/wings, but Exum seemed to have a consistent 16-18 minute per game role last season.

Exum’s defensive skill set and versatility were already touched on, but he can also be a factor on the offensive end of the floor as well. Exum has never been known to fill it up (5.7 points per game for his career), but he is good with the ball in his hands and more often than not makes the right read to get his teammates open looks.

While the main rotation guards all have more promise and upside than Exum, he still has the potential to be a key role player on this Cavaliers squad. After all, it is hard to teach his aforementioned 6-foot-5, 214-pound size with Exum’s athletic ability and versatility.

Though he is only 25 years old, Exum is an NBA veteran and will likely be looked upon by Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff as a player that can help lead on this team.

If Exum can give the Cavaliers 15-20 minutes per night with a meaningful scoring effort to relieve the younger guards, that is a fair expectation for Exum this upcoming season.

Lastly, even while Exum is set to be on an expiring deal following next season, if he can stay healthy and be a nice rotational piece, perhaps he could look to be a player that could have a role long-term.