Will Jazz fans welcome departed stars back with open arms?
![Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/63888223c78cfa2b8323ecf8cd978d9afe1c6b25c470c54e334aa7214a04f4d6.jpg)
The Utah Jazz closed an era this summer, trading away Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, while also watching head coach Quinn Snyder walk away. It was all for the best, as the Jazz were unable to conquer a stacked Western Conference, and decided to pursue a full rebuild.
It’s no secret that Gobert and Mitchell were not friends by the time their tenure was coming to a close, although both were loved by fans until the very end of their time in SLC. That being said, these guys are no longer Jazzmen and are trying to help other teams win, and beat the Jazz. Given the current roster, that shouldn’t be too hard.
Utah Jazz: What will the atmosphere be when Gobert and Mitchell return?
So, when Mitchell and Gobert come to town with the Cavaliers and Timberwolves, how will they be received? Most fans said they would cheer for both former players, although it seems like Gobert is a little more favored by the Jazz faithful.
So how will Vivint Arena welcome back their stars? I'm not forgetting about Patrick Beverly, I know those jerseys were just flying off the shelves
— The J-Notes (@TheJNotes) September 1, 2022
I can’t say that’s shocking. While both players managed to mostly put off-court issues aside, Mitchell did refuse to pass to Gobert in key moments, and Gobert’s goodbye to Utah was a little more graceful than Spida’s.
Both Minnesota and Cleveland are expected to be very good next year with their new stars, and both teams will be competing come the postseason. The Wolves are in the West and will be directly competing against Utah, so it was kind of shocking that fans seem to want the T-Wolves to make it all the way to the Finals.
— Brandon (@CriticalJazzFan) September 4, 2022
Since Utah won’t be playing for much next season, it’s a good thing that fans are finding a temporary second team, and it only makes sense to follow the guys that made Utah basketball fun and successful for five years.