The Rudy Gobert/Donovan Mitchell relationship has now reached a new level for the Utah Jazz — but that level is not so good.
Utah Jazz fans have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions ever since the NBA suspended the 2019-20 season.
Two Jazz players, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, were the first NBA players to be diagnosed with novel coronavirus. From dealing with fans around the league making jokes at the duo, to reports indicating that a rift exists between them, Utah Jazz fans have heard it all during this nightmare scenario.
While many of us were hoping that Gobert and Mitchell would be able to work at their relationship and get back on the same page, that doesn’t appear to be the case…
According to Sam Amick, Shams Charania and Tony Jones of The Athletic (subscription required), Donovan Mitchell is reluctant to repair his relationship with Rudy Gobert. Based on what we have seen, the damage appears to be done.
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Mitchell also appears adamant that Gobert is the one who passed the virus onto him. It very well could have been the other way around, but we’ll never know. I can understand his original frustration, but holding a grudge up until this point is a little much.
The Utah Jazz are in an incredibly difficult spot right now. Going into the season with championship aspirations, they are one move away from taking a giant step backwards. Trading either one of Utah’s star isn’t ideal, but it may be likely in the near future.
That star would likely be Rudy Gobert, who is on an expiring contract. Mitchell is younger and the Jazz have already planned on extending his contract during the summer.
Even though I disagree with it, Mitchell is younger and plays a more important position in today’s NBA. Those are major factors in this. The odds of the Jazz trading Mitchell are very, very low.
While we await to see if the NBA resumes playing again this season, Utah Jazz fans will be clinging on to the little hope that remains, hoping this whole Gobert/Mitchell drama gets solved. At this point, the only realistic option is what I said above.
These are tough time, Utah Jazz fans. Super tough times.