Australian guard Dante Exum is nearing a deal with Barca / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Former NBAer Dante Exum is close to signing a three-month deal with FC Barcelona, via Chema de Lucas. Per the report, he is expected to be in Spain next week.

2-pointers this season

54%21,3Points made:21,3Accuracy:53,7%Place in standings:2Record max:27Record min:14Most made 2FGs:Brandon DaviesTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Despite penning a three-year deal in the offseason with the Rockets, on October 10, the Houston club waived the Australian guard to get down to the 15-man roster limit.

The 26-year-old Exum was the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft (Utah Jazz) but hasn't met the expectations. He has been injury-prone, including missing the entire 2015-16 season due to an ACL tear in his left knee.

Exum has career averages of 5.7 points and 2.1 assists in 245 games (72 starts) with the Jazz (2014-19) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2019-21). He has shot 40.7 percent from the field, including 30.5 percent from the 3-point range.

Exum played in just six games (three starts) for the Cavaliers last season and averaged 3.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He suffered a season-ending calf injury in early January and then was traded to the Rockets as part of the blockbuster deal in which James Harden went to the Brooklyn Nets.

The 1.96-meter athlete returned to full health in the Tokyo Olympics and helped Australia win bronze medals by averaging 9.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 9.2 PIR over 20 minutes.

It would be his first European basketball experience.

Barca are playing without Cory Higgins, Nick Calathes, and Alex Abrines in their backcourt line. Higgins continues conservative treatment of his back injury and will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks. Calathes will be out for five more weeks.

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