Rudy Gobert might be heading out of Vivint Smart Home Arena when this season is finished due to concerns on his relationship with teammate Donovan Mitchell. It’s been reported that the relationship between the two players isn’t ‘salvageable’ and the Jazz could be looking for a new place in the league for either Gobert or Mitchell.
This time, though, we’ll only focus on the French big man and one possible destination for him in the association. Gobert has reportedly ghosted the Jazz after his rift with Mitchell for his actions before the two players tested positive for COVID-19.
“Not only is Rudy [Gobert] non-communicative with Donovan Mitchell, he’s largely not communicating with the Jazz right now, either.”
– @Tjonesonthenba discussing the Gobert/Mitchell rift on @ESPN700.
— Porter Larsen (@Larsen_ESPN) April 10, 2020
The Golden State Warriors could make a run for the center’s services in a move that could help them incredibly.
The Warriors would receive Gobert in exchange for Draymond Green and their 2020 first-round draft pick. They would be getting a back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year, so Draymond’s departure wouldn’t hit them that hard. Rudy joining them would give Steph Curry and Klay Thompson a big title window and their core wouldn’t suffer any major changes.
Besides, they could offer another draft pick and/or even Eric Paschall if the Jazz feel their initial offer isn’t enough. They could also add Georges Niang as part of the deal, getting a good bench player in the American-Senegalese forward.
The relationship between Mitchell and Gobert appears to be broken and nothing can change that. Golden State can be a savior for the Jazz and give Gobert a fresh start in the Bay. The Frenchman is one of the best defenders in the league and sending a player like Draymond to Utah, with a similar caliber, sounds like the best option for the Dubs to create a compelling offer.
https://twitter.com/pickuphoop/status/1248613697192247297
Gobert is owed $25.7M next season but is an unrestricted free agent after that, so the Warriors need to think this through before making any move for a guy that’s a great defender, but would only last one season with them.
We’re just throwing ideas here, but this doesn’t sound that crazy. Gobert and Mitchell are out of danger now, but their relationship won’t ever be the same.
