Intrigue Abounds As Utah Jazz Begin Summer League

Nov 29, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah Jazz will join the summer league fray on Monday as the team plays host to the Boston Celtics at EnergySolutions Arena. Although it’s been a quiet summer for the franchise so far and the core of the team remains firmly in place, intrigue abounds as the Utah Jazz Summer League commences.

The Development of Dante Exum and Rodney Hood

Perhaps the biggest story surrounding the team heading into summer league action is the continued evolution of Dante Exum. As the Aussie phenom looks to build upon his rookie season, he appears to be bigger, better and more prepared to make an impact at the NBA level. He is currently ten pounds heavier than he was last season and Jazz officials also believe that he’s grown taller.

Moreover, the former No. 5 overall pick has been working double-time at the Zions Bank Basketball Center to fine-tune his game and help facilitate a year-two jump.

"Over the last month, Dante Exum has been in our gym every day, working with our coaching staff, a.m AND p.m.. I've been impressed." Rigby
— Austin Horton (@austinhorton) July 1, 2015

After capturing Rookie of the Month honors in April, Rodney Hood is also looking to take his game to the next level. Like Exum, Hood has been working very hard all offseason long and should look to dominate when the Jazz take the floor against the Celtics.

No Contract Yet for Trey Lyles

One player that may not be joining Exum and Hood on the court and has yet to work out with the team during summer league practice is the No. 12 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Trey Lyles. As of this writing, the former Kentucky Wildcats forward has yet to sign a contract with the team.

Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey assures us that this is not due to anything on Lyles’ end and one would assume that a resolution will come sooner rather than later, but the delay does raise some questions. Is it a matter of Lyles’ cap hold being nearly $375,000 less than his actual salary number would be? If so, this means the team could use the extra space as part of a free agent acquisition.

Another scenario that could be in play is a potential trade. While this seemed an unlikely outcome when the team chose to select Lyles on Draft Night, fans and media alike are lending more credence to the possibility with each passing day.

Trey Lyles situation gets stranger every minute that he's not signed. You really have to wonder if the Jazz are working on a trade.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 6, 2015

The Point Guard Battle Royale

The other story grabbing headlines for the Jazz is the battle at point guard behind Exum. Bryce Cotton will be in uniform for summer league and could have a leg up on the competition based on his play to end the 2014-15 season. Still, second-round pick Olivier Hanlan has been one of the big surprises during recent practice sessions and also has the ability to slide up to the wing.

Further complicating the point guard issue is a potential Raul Neto signing. The Brazilian guard has remained very much in Utah’s plans in recent years and, according to reports, arrived in Salt Lake City this past Saturday to discuss his future with the franchise. With Neto in the mix, it would appear that the Jazz have three options in play for one spot behind Exum and Trey Burke.

So while the Jazz have been quiet in free agency and much of the roster figures to be the same when the 2015-16 NBA season tips off, there continues to be a litany of moving parts creating intrigue as summer league basketball begins.

Next: Are the Utah Jazz Ready for the Playoffs Now?

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