The Indiana Pacers could benefit from Dante Exum’s defensive focus
Dante Exum has not quite lived up to the billing of a fifth overall pick. Since being taken by the Utah Jazz early in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Australian combo guard has not developed much, to the point of currently being out of the league.
Released by the Houston Rockets shortly before the regular season started, Exum is currently a free agent, seemingly resisting going back to Australia. The Indiana Pacers, due to their defensive limitations, could consider snatching him up, as Exum still has a valuable skillset that could prove beneficial even in a limited role, a perfect position for him at this stage of his career.
Theoretically, Exum won’t play much, as he is not necessarily a catalyst on offense, boasting below-average marks on both scoring, three-point shooting and playmaking. However, his heady defensive acumen is still valuable, and if he hones his shot even a bit more, he would easily be a better option than Wanamaker as an emergency depth piece who can also play on the wing position.