I understand why Exum has received as much criticism as he has this year due to the fact that he is clearly the furthest behind in his development out of our key players. Hayward, Favors, & Gobert are all contributing at a high level, while Exum is still struggling to find his footing in the league & his role on the team. I think some of his apparent confidence issues/lack of aggression is more due to a misconception that he has as far as what the team is looking for from him rather than him being timid or scared. Up until now, he has always been the best/most physically gifted player on the floor & now that he no longer is, I think he has realized that, while he may still be able to be somewhat affective were he to rely solely on his athleticism & aggression as he had up to this point, he wouldn't be nearly as affective as he could be were he to learn the system & nuances of the position, in order to combine that knowledge with his physical gifts & natural aggression.
Before the season began, he was likely told to ignore results & focus on developing specific areas of his game (such as pace, game management, shooting, passing, & defense). When he was drafted, I don't think the FO was looking for a Westbrook type of PG, but rather a Rondo type (who would hopefully be able to actually hit an open shot beyond mid-range). From the little I have heard from him in interviews, confidence doesn't seem to be an issue. As far as I can tell, he has carried himself very professionally, & if I had to guess, I would imagine that his play on the court is more due to his desire to fit in, earn his keep, & not step on anyone's toes. His personality strikes me more as the silent, confident type rather than someone who feels the need to prove his worth in a season in which he clearly isn't ready to do so (& rightfully so). He knows that one season will not determine the outcome of his career. This year is about learning what it means to be a professional (& good teammate) while allowing his (still developing) body to adjust to the toll that an 82 game season takes on your body.
This isn't to say that I have zero concerns about him or that I am 100% certain that he will become a superstar, but to suggest trading one question mark with potential for another question mark with potential doesn't make sense (although I would consider trading him for Russell, who is another question mark with potential, but only because I see Russell as less of a question mark & a potentially elite scorer & don't quite see Lavine as having quite that type of offensive potential). I could understand wanting to trade Exum for an established all-star caliber player, strictly due to the fact that Hayward, Favors, & Gobert are ready to win now, while Exum clearly isn't, but that is unlikely to happen. Regardless, just because Exum appears to be lagging behind the team's overall developmental timeline, it is far too early to give up on him. His combination of physical tools, work ethic/character, basketball iq, & court vision are extremely rare in a PG, especially one at his age, & could eventually come together to create a very special player. There aren't a lot of players out there (tho there are a few) that I would trade away Exum for & Lavine is not one of them (although I do like him as a player & would love to have him in the backcourt alongside Exum).
