3 starting center options for the Utah Jazz in 2022
By Nathan Smith
The Utah Jazz finally moved on from Rudy Gobert, trading him to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a haul of players and picks, and while the deal was a great one for the Jazz, it leaves them with a massive hole in their lineup ahead of the 2022/23 NBA season. With plenty of newfound draft capital and cap space, there are plenty of options for Utah to try and replace their three-time Defensive Player of the Year, but how exactly they go about filling this hole depends completely on which direction this franchise is looking to go in the near future.
They can either move on from Donovan Mitchell and gather a kings ransom of first round draft picks, or move some of the picks acquired in the Gobert trade to find a center that compliments Spida in an attempt to succeed in 2022. None of the following players will be able to replicate what Rudy did on the defensive end in Utah for nine seasons, but with the NBA trending in a different direction, perhaps one (or maybe more) of these players will fit the Jazz mold better in 2022 and beyond.
3. The Utah Jazz should trade for Jakob Poeltl
Jakob Poeltl has been a serviceable player for his entire six year NBA career, but it was his 2021/22 season with the Spurs that saw him take a huge leap, and be one of the most effective center’s in the entire NBA. Poeltl recorded career highs in points, rebounds and assists, and after trading away Dejonte Murray earlier in the off-season, seemingly signalling a rebuild, there’s no reason for San Antonio to keep him on the roster, as his stock is currently at an all-time high.
That will mean the Jazz may have to pay a bit more than they would have liked, but if they include a player or two and a first round pick, they may be able to make the trade happen, and bring back a center who is seemingly on the rise, and can help this team compete in 2022/23. If the Jazz are to look outside the organization for center help, Poeltl is likely the best candidate, and at only 26-years old, he could not only help Utah compete in 2022/23, but he could be a consistent part of this franchise for years to come.