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Utah Jazz: 3 potential trade destinations for Rudy Gobert

By Jacob Zakheim

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 25: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 25, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 25: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 25, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The relationship between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell might be headed for a divorce. Below are three potential trades for Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.

With conflicting reports coming out about the state of the relationship between Utah Jazz All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, it seems as if a split may be on the horizon in Utah. Under the assumption that Utah would elect to keep Mitchell over Gobert, it’s never too early to explore the trade market for the French big man.

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In theory, moving a player like Gobert for fair value, a 27-year-old big with many accolades to show, should be an easy task for the Jazz front office. However, taking a deeper look into the situation shows that it may be a bit more complex.

While Gobert has been an essential piece to Utah’s continued success over the past few years, racking up 190 regular season wins dating back to 2017, his limitations have consistently been exposed in the postseason. While Gobert possesses elite skills in the pick and roll, his offensive game is otherwise limited.

He struggles with his back to the basket and doesn’t pose any threat from outside the paint. In recent playoff appearances, Gobert’s been exposed on both sides of the ball, getting caught in the wrong spots defensively against teams with good floor spacing, and clogging up the paint offensively for a poor outside shooting team.

Additionally, Gobert’s contract situation plays a role in a potential trade. Gobert is set to hit unrestricted free agency following the 2021 season. To make matters even more complicated, Gobert will qualify for the supermax extension that can earn him roughly $247 million dollars over five years.

Mind you, only the Jazz would be eligible to pay Gobert the supermax, so any acquiring team wouldn’t have to consider this in their equation.

Below are three mock trades that make sense for different reasons. It is important to note that the circumstances are a bit tricky now with the league suspended, but for the purpose of this article, it is under the assumption that the current season is over and these deals will occur at the beginning of the upcoming off-season.

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