Utah Jazz: Lyles for Mitchell and the Top 7 trades in team history

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Rudy Gboert Utah Jazz Denver Nuggets NBA Draft

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 27: Rudy Gobert (R) of France poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner David Stern after Gobert was drafted #27 overall in the first round by the Denver Nuggets during the 2013 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 27, 2013 in in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

3) Cash considerations become the future; June 27, 2013

The Denver Nuggets trade No. 27 overall pick Rudy Gobert to the Utah Jazz for rights to second-round pick Erick Green and cash-money.

Money can’t buy you happiness. However, it can buy you an All-NBA center and Defensive Player of the Year candidate. That much was proven five years ago when the Jazz acquired Rudy Gobert from the Nuggets.

Ahead of the 2013 NBA Draft, Gobert was largely unknown to NBA decision-makers. The Jazz were able to identify his potential during an early workout, however. So when the Nuggets hit the board at No. 27 on draft night, Dennis Lindsey made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. A seven-figure payment later, the Nuggets were selecting Gobert for the Jazz.

Since that time, all he’s done is become the most dominant rim protector in the league and a top 10-level physical talent. Last season, he led the NBA in blocks at 2.6 per game and also topped the league in block percentage, individual defensive rating, defensive real plus/minus and defensive win shares.

Say what you will about Hayward’s accomplishments in Jazz blue, it was Gobert that really changed the team’s trajectory. Now, his ability to stay on the court is a make or break proposition for Jazz basketball.

Meanwhile, Green didn’t amount too much in Denver. He even went on to spend some time at the end of Utah’s bench before making his way to Europe.

Talk about an epic win; sorry, Nuggets fans.

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