The Utah Jazz took a huge hit this week when the news broke that Dante Exum tore his ACL while playing with the Australian National Team. Exum is not only a huge part of Utah's future but he was also expected to be a big part of the team in 2015-16 as the backup point guard as the Jazz have higher expectations after a strong finish last season. The Jazz do have a couple of guys on their roster that can replace Exum but it is being reported that they might target veteran point guard Garrett Temple, according to Jody Genessy of the Deseret News.
The healthy point guards currently on Utah's roster include Trey Burke, who is expected to start, Bryce Cotton, who played a little bit last season for the Jazz, and Brazilian rookie Raul Neto. It is still possible that the Jazz can stay with what they have at point guard but teams typically like to have a veteran point guard as an option off the bench just in case the young guys aren't able to run the show. Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey has said the team has yet to discuss options as their concern right now is for Exum.
"There is a bunch of speculation out there right now Quin and my mindset are exactly the same at this particular time. We're concerned about Dante Exum and the long-term care. We've had no conversations whatsoever about anyone else outside the Utah Jazz," said Lindsey.
Although they have yet to discuss potential options outside the organization both Lindsey and head coach Quin Snyder have a connection to Temple. Snyder is reportedly a big fan of Temple and the way he plays after coaching him in the D-League in 2009. Lindsey was the Spurs general manager when Temple was a member of the San Antonio Spurs.
Temple is now 29 and has been a journeyman in his five years in the league having already played for six different teams. At 6 foot-6 Temple is a big and long point guard who does his best work on the defensive side of the ball but doesn't bring much to the table offensively (-1.1 offensive win shares and 4.2 defensive win shares for his career.)
Temple spent his last three seasons with the Washington Wizards and played very sparingly averaging only 14.2 minutes per game. Temple averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 assists per game in his three seasons with the Wizards while shooting 39 percent from the field and 33 percent from three.
Bryce Cotton had a very solid summer league showing so it may end up that the Jazz are happy with him as their backup but bringing in Temple wouldn't be a bad idea as he is a veteran that has seen a lot of different situations and could help Cotton, Neto and Burke in their development.
