3 Rudy Gobert trades for the Utah Jazz this summer

All does not seem well with the Utah Jazz. They’ve lost six of their last seven contests. That lone victory came against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Beating the Lakers is like Tik Tok: everyone seems to be doing it right now. The Jazz’s recent 111-107 collapse against the Golden State Warriors told us that this team is still struggling.

Discord between Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert seems to be reaching a breaking point. Unless they make a deep playoff run, something will soon have to give with this Jazz squad. That something may be a blockbuster trade.

It’s hard to say whether Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert or both would be finding new zip codes in that scenario. Both will find plenty of suitors if they hit the NBA’s trade market.

Here are a few options if they Jazz decide to move on from their defensive anchor.

Utah Jazz Rudy Gobert trade scenario #1

The Dallas Mavericks allegedly already have an interest in adding the Stifle Tower. That’s fair enough, but interest has to run both ways to make a trade happen.

It’s a little difficult to cobble together a good deal with the Mavericks. They’re light on both interesting young players and draft capital. The NBA’s Stepien Rule disallows them from going without first-round picks in consecutive seasons. With so many first-round picks already outgoing, there are barrier to making a deal work here.

Still, where there’s a will, there’s inevitably a way.

This trade may appeal to the Jazz if they’re focused on restocking their war chest. The Jazz, like the Mavericks, are lacking in first-round picks for the foreseeable future. This trade helps them strengthen that asset base.

Distant picks like the 2027 first-rounder the Jazz receive here hold a unique value. They’re the ultimate mystery box for an NBA team. Still, if the Utah Jazz are forced to undergo a full-fledged rebuild, this pick could be a huge asset by the time they’re ready to compete again.