3 Rudy Gobert trades for the Utah Jazz this summer

2 of 3

PJ Washington vs Utah Jazz (Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports) /

Utah Jazz Rudy Gobert trade scenario #2

This is a scenario we already recently proposed. Still, it makes enough sense to merit repeating here.

This package could be particularly attractive to the Jazz if Donovan Mitchell is willing to stay in Salt Lake City. It provides the star scoring guard with plenty of the ammunition he’s currently missing.

We’ll start with Cody Martin. After all, he is the 3-and-D wing this Jazz squad failed to acquire at this year’s trade deadline. He’s posting a 1.2 D-RAPTOR and a 0.7 Defensive Box/Plus Minus (DBPM) to go with 38.4% shooting from three-point range this season.

PJ Washington instantly provides the Jazz with the best small-ball center they’ve had in franchise history. Presumably, the team would need to make another move to find a starting center to replace Gobert. Supposing they simply re-signed Hassan Whiteside and brought Washington off the bench as a combo big, they could have a more versatile look next season.

After all, versatility happens to be the name of Washington’s game. At 6’7 and 230 pounds, Washington is capable of defending against both bigs and wings. He also provides ample positional spacing, shooting 36.7% from three-point range.

Meanwhile, Gordon Hayward’s presence in this deal isn’t strictly for salary cap purposes, or for the feel-good reunion narrative. He’d offer Mitchell as a secondary ball-handler in a way that no wing currently on the Jazz can. This team would take a slide on defense, but their offense would have the potential to be even more varied and potent than it currently is.

The appeal here for the Hornets is obvious: they have a glaring need for a center. With the league’s 24th Defensive Rating (114.19), they have a glaring need for defense as well. What NBA player suits those combined needs like Rudy Gobert?

If the Utah Jazz are forced to move Mitchell, this deal probably doesn’t suit them. They’ll probably either opt to retool around Gobert, or find a better rebuilding package. In the event that Mitchell is willing to stay as long as they lose Gobert, this might be the deal for them.