Exum’s latest NBA tilt fails to launch
DANTE Exum’s NBA future is uncertain again after the Australian Boomer was waived by the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
Exum had signed a threeyear, $US15m ($A20m) contract with the Rockets before training camp but the deal was non-guaranteed and had incentive bonuses.
The Aussie played in three Houston pre-season games but did not suit up for Saturday’s clash with San Antonio.
Exum’s free agency road to Houston first started at the Tokyo Olympics.
He could have just as easily used the off-season to develop his skills in the hopes of earning another contract but instead put his focus on a historic medal for the Boomers.
It proved to be a springboard to another shot at the NBA, with Exum being signed by Houston after he played a crucial role in Australia’s bronze-medal run.
Having finally overcome his injuries, Exum was starting to look himself again and it grabbed the attention of Rockets coach Stephen Silas.
“I was saying that, as well,” Silas said in the Houston Chronicle.
“He looks quick. In the Olympics, he was attacking close-outs, getting to the rim, dunking, all kinds of things. Yeah, I was surprised because I didn’t get a chance to see him last season, so I didn’t really know what we had. I’m getting a feel right now.”
It looked like the 26-yearold would fit well with Houston’s rebuilding roster,
providing much-needed experience alongside the young core of Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Christian Wood and Jae’Sean Tate.
“It was definitely a gruelling process,” Exum said of his road back to the Rockets.
“I think when I went to the Olympics, I was just focused on that, focused on getting a medal. After that, it was just trying to find the right place, the right fit. I just want to play and I felt Houston gave me the opportunity to do that.
“We always stayed in contact with them. When the opportunity arose, we started talking, we said this is the
place I want to be. I like the direction they’re heading in.”
It seems now they are going in the opposite direction and Exum is again on the lookout for an opportunity.
Injuries have hampered Exum’s development after being the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.
The 26-year-old began his career at Utah then was traded to Cleveland after six seasons with the Jazz.
Exum then moved to Houston as part of the James Harden deal last season but saw no game time there, mainly because of problems with a calf injury.