Summer League action is back in Utah, and Monday’s opening night saw sophomore point guards Dante Exum and Marcus Smart square off. After being drafted with the No. 5 and No. 6 overall pick in 2014, the young floor generals showed why they’ll be valuable pieces for their respective organizations. 

While they may play the same position, Smart and Exum differ immensely in their physical stature. Exum, a 6-foot-6, 190-pounder, is a quicker 19-year-old oozing with potential. He played in all 82 games for the Jazz as a rookie, starting in 41 contests, but averaged just 4.8 points and 2.4 assists while shooting 34.9% from the floor and 31.4% from three-point range. After playing against Australian High School competition, Exum’s transition wasn’t as smooth as expected for a typical top-five pick.

Smart, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder, counters with a strong frame and bulldozing mentality. The 21-year-old Oklahoma State product saw 67 games with the Celtics in his rookie season and started in 38. He averaged 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, but like Exum, struggled as a shooter. Smart shot just 36.7% from the floor and 33.5% from deep.

In the first quarter, Smart was the aggressor, scoring 13 points in the opening 10 minutes. He bricked a three off the backboard and airballed his next three-point attempt, but finished the quarter with a pair of made threes. Smart also added an and-one finish in transition to go with a layup against Exum, where he used his strength to get to the rim and convert. 

Exum had a nice drive for an assist against Smart to open the game, but didn’t score in the opening frame. He did appear stronger, as he had no issues fending off Smart to create separation, but seemed overwhelmed in the first quarter. From that point forward, however, Exum looked much improved.

After the slow start, Exum’s first point came with 7:54 in the second quarter when he knocked down a free throw after Boston committed a defensive three-second violation. A minute later, he used a screen, lost his defender with a spin move, and knocked down a mid-range jumper. He missed his next two shots, including an airballed three, before crossing over a defender, driving, and drawing contact in the paint for a pair of free throws. The next possession, Exum used a ball screen and confidently hit a three when Smart went under the screen. Just like that, Exum had eight points as Utah went on a 13-2 run and took a 36-34 lead. 

Smart tried to answer with a three, but missed. Exum then lost Smart on the next possession with a backdoor cut for a layup. 

Smart scored just once in the second quarter, but made it memorable. He picked off a pass and took it the other way for a powerful dunk. Exum responded the ensuing possession with a jab step that got Smart off balance before he drove and drew a foul for two made free throws. Boston was forced to call timeout with 1:49 left in the half. 

Smart missed his next two shots, but had a pretty assist in transition that led to a layup. Exum and Smart both missed a three to end the quarter, but Exum won round two with 12 points.

The matchup turned towards the free throw line in the second half. Exum hit four free throws and a fading floater in the third quarter while Smart scored eight points in the third, with six coming at the free throw line. Smart’s three free throws in the fourth completed his 26-point outing. Exum had a dunk off an inbounds play in the fourth, but his night came to an unfortunate conclusion with 1:50 left in the game. While driving for a layup, Exum rolled his left ankle and was helped off the court without returning. The Jazz announced that Exum suffered a left ankle sprain and would be reevaluated on Tuesday. 

While Smart’s 26 points, eight assists, and five rebounds showed his all-around impact, he did struggle to score efficiently. He was just 6-of-20 from the field and 2-of-10 from three-point range, going without a made three after the first quarter. Smart did get to the line, however, and knocked down 12-of-13 attempts from the charity stripe.

Even more impressively, Smart looked comfortable operating out of the pick-and-roll and set up his teammates effectively. He took care of the ball and only had two turnovers while running the offense for 30 minutes. Smart showed improvements as the primary ballhandler, as he wasn’t afraid to attack off the bounce and used his dribble-drive game to draw contact. Smart was more of a combo guard as a rookie, but if he can continue to improve as a creator, Boston will have increased versatility.

Exum’s injury was unfortunate, as he showed rapid growth from the end of the regular season. While his 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists were nice, his ability to attack the rim and draw contact was an area of his game rarely seen as a rookie. He shot 5-of-11 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line while he had a game-high +31 when on the floor. His 1-of-5 showing from three was unremarkable, but he had just one turnover and led his team to a 100-82 victory.

It’s unlikely that Exum will play another Summer League game, as Utah has too much invested in its young point guard, but this was an impressive display prior to the injury. Exum looked stronger and more confident creating with the ball in his hands. The sky is the limit for Exum and he has the potential to develop into a dominant point guard with time.

While Smart and Exum can still improve as jump shooters, both showed why they were such high draft picks on Monday. The sophomores already showed improvement from their rookie seasons and – if they can continue their development – can become valuable NBA point guards with rare size and talent.