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Mavs' Dante Exum Happy to Play in Utah for First Time Since 2019

Originally posted on Dallas Mavericks on SI
By Grant Afseth | Last updated Jan 1, 2024 8:49 PM ET

SALT LAKE CITY — Dante Exum, drafted by the Utah Jazz using the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, entered Monday night set to play his first game in his former arena for the first time since being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019.

After playing for FC Barcelona in 2021-22 and Partizan Belgrade in 2022-23 in EuroLeague, Exum returned to the NBA, signing a two-year, $6.2 million contract with the Mavs. He's having a career year, averaging 9.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.

Now a member of the Dallas Mavericks, Exum was excited to play his first game in Utah as a member of the Mavs, describing it as a place he and his family loved and viewed as a "second home." He played 232 games with the Jazz, including the regular season and playoffs.

"I spent a lot of time in Utah, you know, as the team that drafted me," Exum told DallasBasketball.com. "I loved it here. My family loved it here. It'll always be that second home to me. It's just good to come back here finally. I haven't been here in so long. It's just good to see people around the organization still here and still loving the Jazz."

It was also assistant coach Alex Jensen's first game in Utah since departing from the Jazz after being on the team's staff from 2013 until 2023. Exum credits having Jensen help him transition to playing for the Mavs after spending the past few years in EuroLeague.

"It's been great," Exum said of having Jensen. "I think he's just kind of seen my growth as a player and kind of understand where I've been and where I've come to, and we have a full understanding of each other. I know how he is as a coach, and I know he knows how I am as a player. Just having that relationship helped me transition."

Exum has solidified himself as a starter on the wing alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, providing the group with three ball handlers. The on-ball defense Exum provides alongside Derrick Jones Jr. with Dereck Lively II protecting the rim is another element of the current lineup that offers reason for intrigue.

This article first appeared on Dallas Mavericks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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