3 options for Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz this summer

By Jack Simone | Apr 30, 2022

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 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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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) /

3 options for Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz this summer: Do nothing

This is the worst-case scenario. It’s become painfully clear that this iteration of the Utah Jazz just doesn’t have the chops to be a title contender, so running it back would be a puzzling decision, to say the least.

That being said, it’s not going to be easy to trade a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. I mean that from the sense of how valuable he is, as well as his trade value.

With the contract Gobert is on, the Jazz could find it pretty hard to move him for equal value. Other teams around the league will undoubtedly be interested in Gobert, but the issue is, the Jazz probably won’t get back what they’re giving up.

If they believe this to be the case, Utah could choose to stand pat and change the core around Mitchell and Gobert rather than trading one (or both) of them.

This could entail trading guys like Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley, Royce O’Neale, Jordan Clarkson, and others. But again, what is the ceiling on a team led by Mitchell and Gobert?

In reality, this outcome is extremely unlikely. The general consensus right now is that the pair isn’t a championship-caliber duo, as difficult as that may be for Utah fans to admit.

And again, with Mitchell being only 25 years old, it’s likely that Gobert is the one that gets the boot. With that in mind, the likelihood that Utah does nothing this offseason is slim to none.

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