Jazz assign Exum to G League in anticipation of NBA return

The Utah Jazz have assigned point guard Dante Exum to their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, as the last stage in his rehab from shoulder surgery before returning to NBA action, the Jazz announced Tuesday.

Exum hasn't played since suffering a separated left shoulder in the preseason, and later undergoing surgery to stabilize his AC joint. His imminent return, barring any setbacks, is welcome news for a Jazz team that just lost backup point guard Raul Neto for at least two weeks due to a wrist fracture.

The Jazz also badly need more data points on Exum before deciding whether to tender him a $6.6-million qualifying offer this offseason, or how to handle his restricted free agency in the event he rejects the QO.

Injuries have forced the 22-year-old Aussie to miss more games than he's played since being drafted fifth overall in 2014, and his play has been spotty when he's been able to stay on the floor. In 66 games last season, he averaged 6.2 points, two rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from 3-point range.