The Utah Jazz apparently are not content turning their season around with the roster they have.
Winners of five straight entering Monday night, the Jazz traded former fifth overall pick Dante Exum to Cleveland in exchange for veteran combo guard Jordan Clarkson. Utah will also send two second-round picks in the deal.
Cleveland has agreed to trade Jordan Clarkson to Utah for Dante Exum, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 23, 2019
Utah had signed Exum to a three-year, $33 million contract last summer, but injuries continue to plague the 6-foot-5 guard’s career. The Australian native has played just 67 total regular season games over the last three years, and has seen his backup point guard role entrusted to Emmanuel Mudiay.
Clarkson steps in as a healthier alternative after having missed just five total games over the previous four seasons. Still just 27 years old, Clarkson is averaging 14.6 points while shooting 37.1 percent from 3-point range, further strengthening the most accurate 3-point-shooting team in the league.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, will add Exum to a core of young guards seeking to fulfill their potential. Cleveland already boasts second-year man Collin Sexton and 2019’s fifth overall pick in Darius Garland.
