And while Doncic is elite in almost every area of the game, he isn't a particularly good defender. While Gobert's post-up offense is problematic, he can still act as a good vertical threat in an offense with willing passers. Why would they trade for him? Well, Luka Doncic would be a force with Gobert rolling down the middle. The Mavericks just beat the Jazz in part because they were able to manipulate Gobert's weaknesses. But would the Knicks offer up one of their young players or draft picks as sweetener? Would the Jazz want future assets or opt for quality players, avoiding a full-fledged rebuilding process? There are details to figure out but it could be a match for both teams. A fresh start may be best for Julius Randle, then you throw in Evan Fournier and the money matches. The Knicks have the contracts to make a trade work after their free-agency splurge last year. New York would boast an above-average defense (at worst) with him in the lineup and there is nothing Tom Thibodeau loves more than a stingy defense. The front office may want to shake up the team in pursuit of a true difference-maker who can keep the Knicks relevant while they wait for the big fish to appear. The Knicks had a disappointing follow-up year after their surprise playoff run last season.
But it is hard to pass up the opportunity to pair two Defensive Player of the Year winners together either way. The question is if the Warriors really want to add a contract like Gobert's and if he's a culture fit. Gobert could help the Warriors dominate defensively all game and could sit if they need to get the offense going. Giving up a young prospect like Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody hurts less when the next few years promises deep postseason runs. The Warriors know their championship window is open as long as Curry is suiting up. Andrew Wiggins and some other pieces would get it done. Golden State also has the salary to make this happen. The spacing would be horrid in those lineups, but again: Stephen Curry. Who cares if he can't punish smaller defenders when they switch if Stephen Curry is on his team? Gobert's presence would also provide excellent insurance should Draymond Green get hurt like he did last season, and the two of them together on the court would be an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses. The Warriors are one of the most popular theoretical landing spots for the center because it feels like they'd be nigh unstoppable with Gobert anchoring the paint. Here are four potential destinations for Gobert. But Gobert, despite his many flaws, is one of the best big man defenders ever and could be a piece of a championship-level defense. If Gobert does end up on the block, where could he go? Salary-matching will be difficult due to his five-year, $205 million deal that will pay him $38 million next season - and interest may be scarce because the deal will pay him $46 million in its final year. Not to mention that it'll be way easier to sell tickets using Mitchell's poster dunks instead of Gobert's elite rim protection. Mitchell is younger and offensive firepower is more valuable than defensive prowess these days. But breaking up the Jazz core seems like the logical next step - and if the franchise decides to do that, it's very likely Gobert is the odd man out. Doesn't feel they will win championship together.- Sean O'Connell May 2, 2022Ī trade in the next few days doesn't seem realistic since the postseason is still ongoing and the new league year won't start until after the Finals. I know I am not usually breaking news guy, but a source close to situation has informed me that Rudy Gobert is at "him or me" point with Donovan Mitchell and will demand that one of them be traded in next few days. Salt Lake City radio host Sean O'Connell entered the scoop game on Monday and said that Gobert is at the point where he wants the Jazz to choose him or Mitchell going forward. The Gobert-Mitchell tandem has failed spectacularly in the postseason for a few years in a row and it doesn't help that the two appear to dislike one another quite a bit. But things never clicked and the defense completely fell apart in 2021-22 despite Rudy Gobert's consistently excellent defensive presence that made him a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year (again).Ĭhange is coming for the Jazz.
The Jazz spent years hanging their hat on elite defense before adding the electric Donovan Mitchell to add some scoring punch. It is not only the loss that stings, but the way they lost.
#Rudy gay knicks trade series#
The Utah Jazz had yet another disappointing end to their season last week as they dropped Game 6 at home to the Dallas Mavericks to lost their opening round NBA playoff series 4-2.