According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, there are some serious issues going on in Utah.
The behavior and recklessness of Rudy Gobert in the days leading up to his COVID-19 diagnosis put his entire team at risk of infection. Donovan Mitchell was eventually confirmed as having the virus as well and is reportedly very frustrated with how his teammate handled the whole situation.
https://twitter.com/pickuphoop/status/1248613697192247297
So far Mitchell has been reluctant to repair his relationship with Gobert and it could lead to the french big man eventually being dealt from the team.
But where could he end up? If we are to listen to Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, Dallas could be a potential landing spot.
The Trade: Rudy Gobert for Dwight Powell, Tim Hardaway Jr., a 2020 second-round pick (the more favorable of Golden State or Houston) and a 2025 first-round pick.
This is a desperation move for Utah. It’d only make sense if the Jazz feel pressured to move Gobert and teams are lowballing them because of his upcoming contract. Powell and Hardaway, both 28, are older than Gobert. For Dallas, it would be a no-brainer to empty what’s left in the cupboard for Gobert.
With the combined forces of Doncic, Kristaps, and Gobert, the Mavericks would have a dynamic powerhouse. We’ve already seen what Doncic and Kristaps can do together on the offensive end — they ranked first in offensive rating this season.
As a 2x Defensive Player of the Year, Gobert can give them a significant edge on the defensive end. He averaged 15 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.
Together, the Mavs would be an instant contender in the West and might even be favorites to make the Finals. Of course, this scenario depends on how the situation in Utah develops. If things continue to head south, we could see a superteam emerge in Dallas.
