Utah Jazz: 3 Players that the Jazz shouldn't bring back for the 19-20 season

Following a blistering run of form during the second half of the 17-18 season, the Utah Jazz entered the 18-19 campaign with the belief that they could contend with the best teams in the West.

And, while they once again started the season slowly, the Jazz recovered to finish 5th in the West standings thanks to an impressive 50-32 record. Entering the postseason, confidence was high, however, a comprehensive 4-1 series defeat to the Houston Rockets highlighted the need to further improve the roster.

The franchise is believed to be keen on adding an All-Star guard to play alongside Donovan Mitchell, and with limited cap space, departures are also likely. So, as we head towards the offseason, here are three players that the Jazz should be looking to move on.

---

#3 Dante Exum

Dante Exum has failed to make much of an impact during his four seasons with the Utah Jazz

Dante Exum was selected by the Utah Jazz with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 draft, although he has yet to live up to his potential. The point guard has started just 68 games during his four seasons in Utah, and his minutes during the 18-19 season were at an all-time low (15.8 per game).

During his limited time on the court, Exum managed to average just 6.9 points and 2.6 assists per game, and he didn't feature at all during the playoffs. At 23, Exum still has plenty of time to improve, however, if the Jazz are serious about competing now, they simply cannot afford to pay the Australian nearly $20 million over the next two seasons.

Ultimately, Exum's salary could be used towards improving the depth of the bench, and it is hard to find any reason as to why the Jazz should bring him back next season.

#2 Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio will enter free agency later this month

Ricky Rubio continues to put up solid numbers, although his impact is still a source of discussion among the Utah fanbase. During the 18-19 season, the Spaniard averaged 12.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game, although he continued to struggle with his shot - connecting with just 40% of his field goal attempts.

Rubio's work on the defensive end is also open to criticism, and as an impending free agent, Utah must make a decision on if he features in their future plans. The 28-year-old earned more than $14 million for the 18/19 season, and when compared to other point guards around the league, a similar deal makes little sense for the Jazz.

The Jazz may not be able to complete a deal for their prime point guard target (Mike Conley), although a cheaper option such as Derrick Rose could contribute the same numbers as Rubio.

#1 Derrick Favors

Derrick Favors has been with the Jazz since 2011

While there is no doubting the individual qualities of both Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, the duo simply don't fit together on the same team.

Gobert and Favors play the same position, offer similar skill sets, and both take up a considerable amount of the team's salary cap. This makes it hard to envision a Jazz future with both players, and Favors is the man likely to make way.

In Gobert, the Jazz has the most dominant defensive force in the NBA, and the team can't afford to lose him during his peak years. Meanwhile, Utah can save $16.9 million in salary for the 19-20 season by waiving Favors before July 5th - an option that appears too good to refuse.

Ultimately, Favors has been a tremendous servant to the Jazz organization, but it is finally time to end the Gobert/Favors era.