Honorable Mentions
While I’d love to see these players suit up alongside Rudy Gobert, they don’t quite move the needle enough in terms of star power to keep the Jazz an elite team. But I’ll list them anyways.
Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet is on an expiring contract, and is due for a massive pay raise. He was a critical spark plug for the Toronto Raptors and their 2019 championship run. With his 6-foot frame and smooth handle and shot, he can get buckets and space the floor.
However, my hunch is the Toronto Raptors would like to keep him for a longer time, and have him inherit Kyle Lowry‘s starting point guard role.
Even then, if the Jazz pulled off a sign and trade with Donovan Mitchell, and VanVleet was the best player they would get back in return, it wouldn’t be a fair trade.
Buddy Hield
Playing for the Sacramento Kings, Buddy Hield has been a great piece for the team with his laser 3-point shooting skills. He isn’t the best defender, but that can be overlooked if he is willing to put forth the effort and learn how to defend in Snyder’s system.
The only bad thing is Hield is already 27 years old. He lied about his age in his college and draft process, and now that we really know how old he is it seems like he doesn’t have much room for growth. He was benched this year by Luke Walton to be the Sixth Man for the Kings.
The move worked wonders for the team, but Hield made it clear he was not happy about the move, and wants a bigger individual role.
That, along with his public comments bashing the Kings front office last fall when he wanted a max extension, are unnecessary baggage the Utah Jazz tend to steer clear from.
Evan Fournier
This player has kept coming back to my fantasies of teaming up with Gobert. Originally picked 20th overall in the 2012 NBA draft, Evan Fournier broke out when he was traded from Denver to Orlando in exchange for Arron Afflalo.
It’s no secret Rudy and Evan are pals, as they both play for France’s National Team and have their friendly exchanges on social media throughout the years. Recently, Fournier went public to defend his friend after many were attacking him for getting the coronavirus.
He’s been the top scoring option for the Orlando Magic this season, and shoots 40 percent from deep. He would fit in great, but he’s just not a star player in this league, and at 27 years old, he’s unlikely to develop into one.