Rudy Gobert Trade to Timberwolves Shocks NBA Twitter; Jazz Praised for Return
Jul 1, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz warms up before 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)
The Utah Jazz have moved on from star big man Rudy Gobert, sending him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster deal on Friday in exchange for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler and four first-round picks, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
While Gobert had been included in trade rumors all offseason, his move to Minnesota was shocking to many fans around the NBA.
D-Lo Anthony Edwards Jaden McDaniels KAT Rudy Gobert
WOW. This is going to be interesting
— Barflaan Tedoe 🇱🇷 (@The_Barftender) July 1, 2022
That said, the Jazz were praised for their absolute haul of a return. While the individual players included in the deal aren't the best, the whopping four first-round picks, one of which is top-five protected in 2029, will be a game-changer for Utah in the future.
I'm sorry, losing gobert is ass and all but on the contrary they got rid of their shitty supermax contract and got 4 first round picks IN RETURN that's a win for the jazz
Jazz lowkey won this trade they are getting a lot of value for Gobert who is good but they are also getting decent players and a haul of picks in return. For the wolves it doesn't make much sense to me why they would dump off all their picks and decent players for a bench center https://t.co/FwLhUtOoh8
Danny Ainge dials up the new ownership and gives them a star in return for all draft captial. EXACTLY what he did to Nets and Proky when they moved to Bk.
Jazz just FLEECED the Wolves.
I dont understand the Gobert/Towns combo. Dejounte was available for less and fits better
I actually like this for Jazz. Vanderbilt Beverly Kessler all good defensive players in return + Beasley off bench, but 3 unprotected 1s 2023/25/27, swap in 26 and top5 protected 2029 1 is a ton for Gobert who struggles vs modern day small 3 ball NBA lineups. https://t.co/imwQGLgqgQpic.twitter.com/F3g6DUS9B2
— SportsComedyHipHop (@SuperDopeHipHop) July 1, 2022
Danny Ainge did it again though.
Would you believe the Jazz just got more picks and better players in return for Rudy Gobert than the Celtics did for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in 2013?
You know, that trade that famously set Boston up to where they are today?
Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, was always going to command a hefty return, but not many believed the Jazz would be able to snag four first-round picks for the veteran, in addition to a number of roster players.
That said, Minnesota's lineup could be one of the best in the NBA in 2022-23 with Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and D'Angelo Russell set to take the floor together.
The Timberwolves possibly felt like they needed to make this trade in order to compete against the likes of the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns in an increasingly difficult Western Conference.
Pairing Gobert with Towns will undoubtedly make the franchise a contender in 2022-23 and beyond. The 30-year-old averaged 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game last season for a Utah team that was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
In 2022-23, Gobert and the Timberwolves will be a serious threat to make a deep playoff run.
As for Utah, it seems more and more likely the franchise is headed for a rebuild, though Wojnarowski reported the team plans to retool the roster around Donovan Mitchell. However, if the Jazz also end up trading Mitchell, it will be clear that the franchise wants to start anew.
Deandre Ayton Rumors: Jazz Interested in Suns Star After Rudy Gobert Trade
Jul 1, 2022
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 2: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns smiles after Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on May 2, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz are reportedly already considering a replacement for Rudy Gobert in Phoenix Suns restricted free-agent center Deandre Ayton.
According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, the Jazz "have interest in exploring a trade" for Ayton, which would have to be a sign-and-trade deal since Utah doesn't have salary-cap space.
Utah's rumored interest in Ayton comes on the heels of ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski (h/t ESPN's Tim MacMahon) reporting Friday that the Jazz agreed to trade Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for four first-round picks, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro and 2022 No. 22 overall pick Walker Kessler.
The Suns and Ayton are seemingly at a crossroads, as Ayton wants a max contract extension, but Phoenix has been unwilling to give it to him.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported Thursday that while the Suns don't want to give Ayton a max deal, they also don't want to lose him for nothing by allowing him to sign an offer sheet with another team.
As a result, there is reportedly some belief within the NBA that the Suns would match an offer sheet even if it is for the max, but a sign-and-trade could be the best solution for all involved.
Suddenly, Utah looks like an ideal landing spot for Ayton after the Jazz traded away a three-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year at center in Gobert.
While Ayton can't compare to Gobert defensively, he is arguably a better offensive player, averaging 17.2 points per game last season and 16.3 for his career.
He also put up 10.2 rebounds per game last season and shot a career-best 63.4 percent from the field, plus he has averaged a double-double in each of his four NBA seasons.
Ayton has a better history of playoff success than Gobert as well, helping lead the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021, while Gobert and the Jazz never made it past the second round in six consecutive playoff appearances.
On top of that, the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick still has plenty of room to grow and improve in all aspects at just 23 years of age.
Even without Gobert, the Jazz still have a strong core in place with All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell leading the way alongside Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson.
Ayton would likely go a long way toward cementing them as a playoff team again next season, plus they could use some of the assets they got in the Gobert trade to improve elsewhere and perhaps be even better than they were in 2021-22.
As for the Suns, they are believed to be in the mix to acquire superstar forward Kevin Durant in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, so trading Ayton away to make room would be a sensible move unless Ayton is needed in a potential KD deal.
Woj: Jazz Plan to 'Retool' Around Donovan Mitchell After Rudy Gobert Trade
Jul 1, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 05: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a win in overtime during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 05, 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)
Having already agreed to trade one of their stars, the Utah Jazz don't plan on losing both Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell this offseason.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Jazz "plan to retool the roster" around Donovan Mitchell after striking a deal to send Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On June 5, Wojnarowski reported Mitchell was "surprised and disappointed" upon learning head coach Quin Snyder stepped down. While the three-time All-Star hadn't gone so far as to request a trade, his future in Utah suddenly looked a little murky.
Rather than triggering a total rebuild, trading Gobert to Minnesota could be a way for the Jazz to send a message to Mitchell about their continued commitment to him.
T Jones, who is plugged in out in Utah, says the Jazz are not planning to trade Donovan Mitchell and are "committed to building around him" https://t.co/f0rKtgRtld
Draft picks obviously won't help Utah win in the short term, and the combined contributions of Beasley, Beverley, Kessler, Vanderbilt and Bolmaro likely won't get the team any closer to a title.
From that aspect, Mitchell might not be all that impressed with the overall haul. The return might, however, give the Jazz more flexibility to swing another major trade.
Arizona Sports' Josh Gambadoro reported they're interested in Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton, who'd need to be acquired in a sign-and-trade. They now have the draft assets and salary filler necessary to make something like that happen.
The Suns can offer four firsts and three swaps in a Durant deal.
If Utah wants Ayton to replace Gobert and Brooklyn prefers picks, they could throw the four they just got at the Nets too.
Maybe that's the outline of a Durant trade: eight picks, three swaps, Bridges, maybe Cam?
What's clear is that the Gobert trade alone can't be Utah's only offseason business if it truly does intend to make Mitchell the lone centerpiece for now. The franchise has taken a step backward with some glaring flaws that need to be addressed.
Oh this is a wholly realistic possibility too! That the new look fails mightily without Gobert around to clean up mistakes, and Mitchell gets frustrated and asks out.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 14: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in action during the second half of a game against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 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)
After making the NBA playoffs for the second time since 2004, the Minnesota Timberwolves are going for it.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday that the Timberwolves are acquiring Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz for a mix of players and draft picks. In addition to Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and Leandro Bolmaro, Utah will get Minnesota's 2023, 2025 and 2027 unprotected first-round picks and a top-five protected first-rounder in 2029.
Here's what the Timberwolves' and Jazz's payrolls will look like when the trade goes into effect, per Spotrac:
Minnesota Timberwolves
Rudy Gobert ($38,172,414)
Karl-Anthony Towns ($33,833,400)
D'Angelo Russell ($31,377,750)
Anthony Edwards ($10,733,400)
Kyle Anderson ($8,780,488)
Taurean Prince ($7,692,308)
Jaden McDaniels ($2,161,440)
Jordan McLaughlin ($2,160,000)
Jaylen Nowell ($1,930,681)
Naz Reid ($1,930,681)
Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell ($30,351,780)
Mike Conley ($22,680,000)
Bojan Bogdanovic ($19,550,000)
Malik Beasley ($15,558,035)
Jordan Clarkson ($13,340,000)
Patrick Beverley ($13,000,000)
Rudy Gay ($6,184,500)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($5,009,633)
Jarred Vanderbilt ($4,374,000)
Leandro Bolmaro ($2,471,160)
Udoka Azubuike ($2,174,880)
Jared Butler ($1,563,518)
Even with Will Hardy coming in to replace Quin Snyder as head coach, it became apparent after Utah's third first-round exit in four years that one of Gobert or Donovan Mitchell needed to go.
Getting four first-rounders for Gobert is a great piece of business for the Jazz. As great as he is on defense, the three-time All-Star becomes less effective in the postseason. Simply put, he's not a No. 1 star on a championship contender or great value for the $205 million he'll collect from his five-year deal.
If Rudy Gobert got four first-round picks, teams might have to send their arena, team name, and first-born to the Nets for KD
Getting four first rounders for Gobert compensates for the lack of win now talent the jazz are taking back. Utah badly wanted Jaden McDaniels in the deal. Minnesota badly wanted to keep him. In the end, the wolves tree in more draft compensation
In addition to those picks, the player haul provides Utah with some flexibility to pursue another significant move. Beasley, Beverley, Vanderbilt and Bolmaro aren't really moving the needle in terms of getting the Jazz closer to a title.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports reported the team is interested in a sign-and-trade for Phoenix Suns star Deandre Ayton. Packaging some of the incoming salaries from the Gobert trade will likely help make the numbers line up to land Ayton.
This is true. I’ll add that the Jazz/Wolves/Suns had discussed 3-way deal structures. First heard that pre-draft in June when I reported on The Mismatch that Minnesota had interest in Gobert. A lot of moving pieces… https://t.co/gGlB3dFwBT
For the Timberwolves, all of the same concerns about Gobert's offense apply. The combined presence of Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards could mitigate that effect.
On the other end of the floor, the 7'1" center can ease a lot of pressure on Towns around the rim. Beyond that, their fit remains a bit questionable for now because Towns isn't a natural defender on the perimeter. Teams might actually be able to more easily target him in switches or with stretch 4s.
If you could combine the best traits of Gobert with the best traits of Towns, you'd have a generational center on your hands. As a two-man Twin Towers setup, their individual flaws could outweigh their strengths when they're sharing the court.
But for a franchise that has endured as much futility as the Timberwolves have, you can't fault them for trying to maximize the window for contention they have with Towns and Edwards on the roster.
Donovan Mitchell Trade Rumors: Heat 'Have Furnished' an Offer for Jazz Star
Jul 1, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action 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)
The Miami Heat are reportedly trying to make a bold move to improve their roster this offseason.
Per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, Miami has prepared a deal for the Utah Jazz in hopes of landing star guard Donovan Mitchell.
"The Heat are a more likely landing spot for Donovan Mitchell and have furnished a trade offer to the Utah Jazz," Winfield wrote.
There appears to be mutual interest from Mitchell's end, as Winfield noted that he has a desire to play in Miami.
"In an April 2022 episode of the Certified Buckets podcast, New York City hip-hop legend Fat Joe told me he is close to Mitchell and that Mitchell’s dream is playing for Miami, not his hometown Knicks," Winfield wrote.
Mitchell has reportedly been frustrated in Utah for quite some time. He raised eyebrows Monday by posting the image of a song titled "Let Me Go" on his Instagram story. This month when former Utah head coach Quin Snyder resigned, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Mitchell was "unsettled, unnerved and wondering what it means for the franchise's future."
A three-time All-Star, Mitchell is one of the most promising young players in the NBA. The 25-year-old has averaged over 20 points in each of his five seasons in the league and hasn't missed the playoffs in his career.
The Heat had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season but fell in the conference finals to the Boston Celtics. Miami has a deep roster, but some players struggled throughout the postseason as Jimmy Butler was the team's only player to average more than 15 points per game in the playoffs.
Adding a player of Mitchell's caliber would surely help the Heat return to title contention.
Jazz Trade Rumors: Latest on Nets' Royce O'Neale Interest, Gary Trent Jr. Pursuit
Jun 30, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 5: Royce O'Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 5, 2022 at vivint.SmartHome Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale is a popular man this summer.
The Athletic's Tony Jones reported the Jazz have "received significant interest from multiple teams" about O'Neale. SNY's Ian Begley cited the Brooklyn Nets as one team that could pursue the 29-year-old, though he added it's "unknown" how much the Jazz want to move him.
Begley also reported Utah is interested in Toronto Raptors wing Gary Trent Jr.
O'Neale averaged 7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 2021-22. He also shot 45.7 percent overall and 38.9 percent from the perimeter. The 6'5" forward is also a plus defender, something the Jazz were sorely lacking outside Rudy Gobert.
O'Neale is also on a team-friendly contract. He's due to earn $9.2 million for the upcoming year and only $2.5 million of his $9.5 million salary is fully guaranteed in 2023-24.
For the same reasons a team would be interested in O'Neale, it's difficult to envision the Jazz would want to give him up. Absent including him in a trade for an All-Star-caliber talent, dealing him might be a lateral move at best for a team that's still in win-now mode.
Granted, Utah clearly needs to address its supporting cast to avoid another first-round exit in the playoffs.
Trent, who averaged 18.3 points and shot 38.3 percent from beyond the arc with the Raptors, would provide some offensive support for Donovan Mitchell.
Getting the 6'5" scorer out of Toronto won't be easy, though.
In March, ESPN's Tim MacMahon (via RealGM) reported on the Lowe Post that the Dallas Mavericks discussed sending Kristaps Porzingis to the Raptors in a swap that included Trent. Toronto, however, was insistent on not making Trent part of the outgoing package.
Report: Celtics' Will Hardy 'Closing In' on Contract to Become New Jazz Head Coach
Jun 28, 2022
MIAMI, FL - MAY 29: Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics talks to Assistant Coach Will Hardy of the Boston Celtics before Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals on May 29, 2022 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz are reportedly closing in on a deal to hire Boston Celtics assistant Will Hardy as their next head coach, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Charania noted that Hardy emerged as a front-runner for the position after Jazz CEO Danny Ainge led an extensive search that "included former head coaches, top assistants, G League coaches and former players."
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the sides are working on a five-year deal.
Hardy replaces Quin Snyder, who stepped down after eight seasons.
Utah is coming off a 49-33 season that ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Dallas Mavericks. It was a disappointing result for a team that started 27-10 before floundering down the stretch with a 22-23 record.
The year prior, Utah rolled to first in the Western Conference standings with a 52-20 record but fell to the No. 4 seed Los Angeles Clippers in the conference semifinals.
The pieces are in place for Utah to bounce back and make a deep playoff run. Donovan Mitchell will be just 26 years old when the season starts, and he's already made three All-Star teams. The talented ex-Louisville shooting guard averaged 25.9 points last season.
Center Rudy Gobert remains one of the best defensive players in the game. He's a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a six-time member of the All-Defensive First Team.
The Jazz also sport good depth in the backcourt and on the wings with Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic. They helped Utah earn the No. 1 most efficient offense in the NBA last year, per Basketball Reference.
More work needs to be done to the roster, but the pieces are there for improvement.
It'll be Hardy's job to get it done, and he has the resume and background that could foreshadow great success in Salt Lake City.
He played at Williams College and graduated in 2010. He joined the San Antonio Spurs out of college and worked as a basketball operations intern (2010) and assistant video coordinator (2011). He became the Spurs' video coordinator and worked in that capacity until 2015.
He also worked as the head coach of Spurs NBA Summer League teams from 2015 to 2018 and served as an assistant under Gregg Popovich until 2021 before moving to Boston and working on Ime Udoka's staff.
NBA Rumors: Celtics' Will Hardy 'A Leading Candidate' for Jazz Head Coaching Job
Jun 25, 2022
MIAMI, FL - MAY 17: Assistant Coach Will Hardy of the Boston Celtics talks to Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics before Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals on May 17, 2022 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz are reportedly looking at multiple assistant coaches around the league as they search for their next head coach.
Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune reported Saturday that "it looks like the team's decision-makers are favoring the younger assistant coaches in their search" and pointed to the Boston Celtics' Will Hardy as someone who is "considered by many league insiders to be a leading candidate."
Larsen also highlighted Phoenix Suns associate head coach Kevin Young as "another highly considered candidate."
The Utah position is open after Quin Snyder stepped down following eight seasons at the helm.
The Jazz seem like an enticing opportunity for any coach. After all, they made the playoffs in each of the last six seasons and finished with the best record in the NBA at 52-20 during the 2020-21 campaign.
However, they also failed to make it past the second round in any of those playoff appearances and are a step below many of the top-level championship contenders.
Their roster construction has been and will continue to be a major storyline given the discussions about the immediate futures of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier this month that Mitchell was "unsettled, unnerved and wondering what it means for the franchise's future" after Snyder stepped down.
Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported June 7 that the Jazz were "one of the more active teams during early offseason trade conversations" and had held discussions about Gobert.
It may not be an easy situation for Hardy to walk into should he become the head coach, but he is accustomed to being surrounded by success. He was a video intern and video coordinator before he became an assistant coach for Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs, spending 11 seasons with the team before he joined Ime Udoka's Boston staff last offseason. The Celtics reached the NBA Finals.
Young has also enjoyed success and was an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons before joining the Suns staff for the 2020-21 season. Phoenix reached the 2021 NBA Finals and then finished with the best record in the league this past season.
Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert's Top Trade Landing Spots After 2022 NBA Draft
Jun 24, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Donovan Mitchell #45 talks to Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the game against the New York Knicks on March 20, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The 2022 NBA draft is done, but the roster changes are just getting started this offseason.
Few teams could be in for a bigger overhaul than the Utah Jazz, which already lost head coach Quin Snyder after he stepped down earlier this month following eight seasons.
That left the future of star player Donovan Mitchell in question as well, considering ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the guard was "surprised and disappointed" about the departure of Snyder.
Wojnarowski also described Mitchell as "unsettled, unnerved and wondering what it means for the franchise's future."
Simply running things back with the core of Mitchell and Rudy Gobert probably wouldn't mean a championship in that future. After all, the Jazz did not advance past the second round of the playoffs despite making the postseason in each of Snyder's last six seasons. That includes a second-round loss in 2020-21 when they finished with the best record in the NBA at 52-20.
In addition to the clear ceiling in place, there have been multiple reports of tension between the two star players and no shortage of rumors about whether one or both will be traded.
Sean O'Connell of SiriusXM reported in May that Gobert reached a "him or me" point with Mitchell, while Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported in June that Utah has "been one of the more active teams during early offseason trade conversations."
Fischer noted many of those discussions were about Gobert since "Utah has not entertained rival teams' overtures to steal away All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell."
The big man seems the more likely trade candidate than Mitchell, who is still just 25 years old and a franchise cornerstone under contract through 2024-25 with a player option for 2025-26. He has the offensive skill set to be a go-to option for years to come, while the defensive-minded Gobert is limited on that end of the floor and someone who is ideally surrounded by other elite talent.
That means teams with impressive offensive guards who need help on the defensive side should be seen as the most likely landing spots for Gobert.
Enter the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls.
Fischer mentioned both Eastern Conference squads as teams that were interested in the 29-year-old, and it's not difficult to see why. Chicago has a two-time All-Star big man in Nikola Vucevic it could include in the deal and would immediately bolster the interior defense.
If the Bulls do end up bringing back Zach LaVine, they will need a rim-protector like Gobert since DeMar DeRozan and LaVine are not exactly renowned for their shutdown defense on the wings.
Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso are better known for their defense, but they both dealt with health issues last season and may not be on the floor together as often given the importance of LaVine and DeRozan to the offensive attack.
Chicago also went perimeter with its only pick of Thursday's NBA draft when it selected Arizona's Dalen Terry at No. 18 overall.
Atlanta also has an All-Star on the perimeter who isn't an all-world defender in the shape of Trae Young.
While the 23-year-old can carry the team to victory on any given night with his outside shooting and overall offensive game, the Hawks would be much better with someone like Gobert to help cover for his defensive mistakes.
Like the Bulls, the Hawks didn't load up down low in Thursday's draft either and went with a wing in Duke's AJ Griffin (No. 16).
Atlanta and Chicago are also looking to take another step into the discussion of serious Eastern Conference contenders and could be in "buy" mode with the chance to land a three-time Defensive Player of the Year down low.
As for Mitchell, a pair of Eastern Conference teams also stand out as potential destinations even if the Jazz reportedly aren't interested in trading him.
It was clear throughout the Eastern Conference Finals that Jimmy Butler could use some offensive help if the Miami Heat are going to take the next step and win a championship.
Kyle Lowry is past his prime, and Mitchell would give the Heat a third All-Star-caliber player alongside Butler and Bam Adebayo in the Eastern Conference race.
Elsewhere, the New York Knicks are further from a championship than Miami but could use a star player in a major market desperate for a contender. They also landed multiple picks in draft-day trades that may be used in future moves.
New York has won one playoff series since the 1999-2000 season and took a step back in 2021-22 after reaching the postseason the prior campaign. Mitchell would give the team its best player since Carmelo Anthony and someone who could actually lead it deeper into the playoffs.
Rudy Gobert Trade Rumors: Jazz 'Won't Settle for Anything but a Massive Haul' for C
Jun 17, 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)
After the Utah Jazz failed to reach the conference finals for the sixth straight season, center Rudy Gobert has found himself among recent trade rumors. However, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year isn't going to come cheap.
The Jazz "won't settle for anything but a massive haul in return" for Gobert, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, who added "there's an anticipation around the league" that he will be moved this summer.
Sarah Todd of Deseret News reported last month the Jazz would be more willing to trade Gobert over Mitchell this summer, so it's not a shock to see his name pop up in rumors. However, Todd added Utah would be fine keeping both.
"Reports that the Jazz could be looking to keep Gobert and Mitchell for the year that the team would host the All-Star break should be taken seriously," Todd wrote.
Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer also reported this month that the Jazz would be "very happy" to keep Gobert if they don't receive a trade package that they think is worth it. It comes after he reported in May that "there’s reason to believe the main fixtures in Utah aren’t going anywhere anytime soon."
It's not surprising that the Jazz might be hesitant to move Gobert despite their third first-round exit in the last four seasons. In addition to being a three-time DPoY, he is also a three-time All-Star, six-time All-Defensive First Team selection, and four-time All-NBA selection.
Gobert also had an impressive 2021-22 season, averaging 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 71.3 percent from the floor. Trading him would be Utah further away from contending for a title, though it's clear something needs to change due to a lack of postseason success.
That said, there will be no shortage of suitors for Gobert this summer. The Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors have been more heavily linked to the veteran thus far. However, it's unclear if those franchises will be willing to meet Utah's hefty package demands.
