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Utah Jazz: Moving forward with Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell the right move

ByJake Weinbach|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz talks to Donovan Mitchell #45 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz talks to Donovan Mitchell #45 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Despite the previous tension between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, the Utah Jazz plan to move forward with both of them on the roster and in the near future.

The Utah Jazz appear ready to move forward and stick with All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell after their positive tests for the coronavirus altered their relationship.

Mitchell was initially flustered with Gobert once his careless actions caused him to be the well-known ‘patient zero’ of NBA players testing positive for COVID-19 in mid-March.

The NBA would later suspend the season indefinitely as a result.

It seemed many inside the Jazz organization were frustrated with Gobert, and Donovan Mitchell was reportedly “reluctant” to fix his relationship with him.

A source even told The Athletic (subscription required) that “it doesn’t appear salvageable” when referencing their relationship.

Many rumors surfaced that the Jazz could be looking to trade either one of their All-Stars, but that doesn’t seem like the road Utah will be taking.

Now that time has passed and both Mitchell and Gobert are cleared from the coronavirus, it appears that the Jazz will be moving forward with both players in their future plans.

Utah Jazz executive vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey issued a statement on the relationship between Gobert and Mitchell.

"“They’re ready to put this behind them and move forward. They know they need each other” (Tony Jones, The Athletic)."

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Lindsey and the Jazz are pleased with the assembled roster that they have and are looking forward to moving along.

McMahon also reported that Lindsey said, “At the most basic level, they know that they need each other to accomplish the goals we want to accomplish as being the last team left standing in the NBA” (ESPN).

The Utah Jazz have done an outstanding job forming their roster, and they should continue to build around their All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.

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Gobert, the reigning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year and elite defensive anchor, has thrived playing alongside Mitchell, a promising two-way star averaging 24.2 points on 45.3 percent shooting this season.

They truly complement one another on the court, so I don’t really see any logical basketball reason for breaking them up.

Donovan Mitchell is also a 23-year-old All-Star who is still on a rookie contract. He currently holds extreme value, so I doubt Utah would even think about trading Mitchell unless he officially requested a trade.

Other than Mitchell’s beef with Gobert that now seems to be evaporating, there is no known reason for Mitchell to request a trade out of Utah. In addition, all indications point to Mitchell being satisfied as a member of the Jazz.

If one of the two were to be traded, I would confidently assume that it would be Rudy Gobert. However, I don’t believe any of them will see a change of scenery until possibly the summer of 2021 when Gobert will become a free agent.

Mitchell and Gobert have helped form a winning culture in Utah, making the playoffs in each season they’ve played together. They combine to implement team success, so splitting them up would seem like a crucial mistake.

Their relationship as friends may have taken a damaging hit, but they can still play together as teammates at the highest level.

Maybe one day they will bring a championship to the city of Utah, and all of this drama will forever be forgotten.

The tandem of Gobert and Mitchell is a solid centerpiece to build a franchise around, and I believe it is the right move for the Utah Jazz to move forward with both of them in the near future.

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