Utah Jazz debate series: Did Utah lose the Gobert trade?

The Utah Jazz were heralded for fleecing the Minnesota Timberwolves out of four picks for star center Rudy Gobert, and on paper, it looks like Utah got the better end of the biggest trade so far this season. However, it was not the perfect trade for the franchise and it may have not been as one-sided as a move as initially thought.

While four first-round picks and a cast of role players is no small return, the Jazz might be left in a state of limbo. For starters, the only real center on the roster is Udoka Azubuike. Walker Kessler is an unproven rookie, and they have not yet resigned Hassan Whiteside, so there is no one to take over the paint. Unless the Jazz can make a trade to find a new big, they will be sorely lacking in that department.

The only way they could even make a move to add a center is by shipping out some of the draft capital they gained in the trade, which might upset some fans who believe the future of the franchise depends on drafting well. This is probably true, but if Utah wants to win now then they need to make moves to do so, even if it means sacrificing aspects of their future.

The second pitfall to the trade is that Minnesota is going to be good for a while. Gobert is 30, but the rest of the Wolves’ supporting cast is very young. Towns is only 26, so if the Timberwolves can keep it together they will be good for a long time.

This means the picks Utah acquired will be in the mid-to-late first round at best. None of the picks are from other teams, so as long as Minnesota is a real playoff team the Jazz will be picking around 20 each year. Sure, there is some talent that late in the round. Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, and Jimmy Butler were all selected in the late first round, but stars like that are few and far between. The odds of Utah hitting on multiple late first-rounders is quite low, but not zero.

When the dust settles from the trade, it should be clear that Utah has assets, but no guarantees that the assets will pan out. They will need to work their young players, find talent, and make other deals with teams to add frontcourt players to the roster, otherwise, the return could be next to nothing.