Utah Jazz: Relationship between Mitchell, Gobert deemed ‘not salvageable’
According to a recent report, the relationship between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell is not great. Could it force the Utah Jazz to trade one of them?
Nearly a month after the NBA was shut down and sent into a hiatus amid the growing concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic, the Utah Jazz was, for the most part, patient zero for the sports world in America.
The Jazz was the first major sports team in the United States to report a positive test. It was later revealed by The Athletic’s Shams Charania that the two players on the team that tested positive for the virus were Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
And while all players and personnel on the Jazz have been cleared of the virus, according to a recent report from The Athletic (subscription required) the damage has been done. Thankfully, not necessarily from the virus, but from the fallout of it.
More from Sir Charles In Charge
- Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
- NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
- Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
- Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?
- NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting point guards for 2023-24
Per the report, it’s being reported that the relationship between Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert is at the point where it might not be salvageable. Which could make things all the more complicated for the Jazz, who were playing some good basketball just before the hiatus.
Should the Mitchell and Gobert relationship fall through, as what’s being reported at the moment, the Jazz would have to pick between the two. And we all know what the answer to that question would be. In that event, the Jazz would have to find a new landing spot for Gobert, which could be an issue considering he’s slated to be an expiring contract during the 2020-21 season.
Even though that would be considered a good thing in some situations, the fact that Gobert is in the prime of his career and would be hitting the free-agent market during the summer of 2021, it could leave potential trading partners hesitant to give up assets in any deal.
Ideally, the Jazz would be better off keeping both Gobert and Mitchell. However, from the sound of the current situation, that doesn’t seem all too promising.
NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Knicks, Bulls jump into top 3; LaMelo Ball to Wizards. dark. Next
Hopefully, the team is able to work out and through this difficult and unique situation.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.