Utah Jazz: Did they win the Rudy Gobert trade?

The Utah Jazz Have no Cash

The downside to the trade is the money situation. Most of these incoming players are under contract until 2024 or 2025, meaning the Jazz will not be able to take a swing at a big free agent anytime soon. Unless they can trade the new assets for picks, they need to pay these guys. That being said, Utah should not be in any rush to acquire picks now, and all but Bomaro and Kessler should be instant impact players.

While it is true that Utah has no money to spend, they have their star, draft capital to build around him as he enters his peak, and a supporting cast with plenty of scoring and more defense than one might expect. While Beverly, Vanderbilt, and Kessler will not be in the DPOY running anytime soon, they can all defend well at their positions and should be an adequate replacement for the best rim protector in recent memory.

In a free-agent class led by Andrew Wiggins, D’Angelo Russell, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, and Kris Middleton, is there really anyone their fans would be excited about? Maybe Wiggins and Middleton, but if the new small forwards develop well then Utah will be in a great position without them. Plus, even if the new players don’t pan out or fit in, the Jazz have the draft picks to accumulate more talent.

That being said, trued-and-true free agent talent always makes more of an immediate impact than rookie draft picks and the Jazz just below their chance at adding that level of talent.