Speaking today to reporters, Jazz executive VP of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey downplayed the idea that the relationship between All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell remains icy.
“They’re ready to put this behind them, move forward, act professionally,” Lindsey said of the recent rift between Gobert and Mitchell (Twitter link via ESPN’s Tim MacMahon). “… We’re very pleased with the collective makeup of our group, Donovan and Rudy in particular. We look forward to moving forward.”
Lindsey added that Gobert and Mitchell “know they need each other,” as Sarah Todd of The Deseret News tweets.
There was said to be tension between the third-year guard and the two-time Defensive Player of the Year in March, stemming from their positive coronavirus tests and the cavalier attitude Gobert reportedly showed with teammates and their belongings in the days leading up to his diagnosis. Although there was a perception that Mitchell was upset with Gobert, at least one report indicated that both players had issues with one another.
That rift still existed a month later, but a subsequent report suggested the two Utah stars had begun working on repairing their relationship. Gobert confirmed at that time that he had spoken to Mitchell, adding that both players were “ready to go out there and try to win a championship” for the Jazz.
While the Jazz may eventually have to consider a major roster shakeup if they can’t break through and make a deep playoff run, the idea that coronavirus-related tension between Gobert and Mitchell would result in a blockbuster trade always seemed far-fetched. We’ll have a better sense of where things stand when teams reunite and Mitchell publicly addresses the situation, but Lindsey’s comments today indicate the organization doesn’t expect it to be an issue going forward.
Relationship remains icy…
but with this in mind if they got a good trade offer for one of the players would they take it…
I think yes.
Mitchell at only 23 remind the heart and soul of that team. He’s also the only decent young player on that roster and Gobert who’s nearing 30 maybe replacing him with some young assets isn’t a bad idea. End of the day if you move him out and get younger, Donovan becomes happier and he has more faith in the organisation. Utah being a small market team need to keep their young stars happy cause they won’t get stars in FA the only way they will get stars is the draft.
I’d still swap Rudy Gobert for Spencer Dinwiddie, Tauren Prince, Jarrett Allen and a second round pick.
Allen basically replaces Gobert like for like minus some production, Dinwiddie is a major upgrade and at 26 solidifies that backcourt for the next 6 years and Prince is a decent role player wing.
that’s a lot for the Nets to give up for Gobert. He’s not Anthony Davis.
Anthony cost the Lakers Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and I believe 4 first round picks.
In this trade I’m saying Gobert for Dinwiddie, Allen and Prince plus a second.
Obviously Davis is worth more but Gobert being the leagues best rim protector and top 5 defender is going to cost abit.
Plus Nets need to give Dinwiddie Prince and Allen all new deals either end of this season or end of next which is hard to do when your paid KD, Irving, Jordan and LeVert.
Maybe they get a third team involved to get back a bench role player and get the Jazz to give them the second for the role player but that’s about the price of Gobert
Your not getting that return for someone who has gotten played off the court the last couple years in the playoffs. Look at what Detroit got for Drummond. No one wants to commit long term money and/or assets for big men anymore. And Durant/Irving would nix it to protect their boy DeAndre anyways.
This is so overblown, I can’t imagine having an irreparable feud with a buddy over something like this
Agreed. Obviously there are tons of teammates in the NBA who don’t like each other.
Just leave it alone, they will work together fine on the court.
The Nets faux GM knows better than to trade for a center he can’t start over Jordan. Just not possible for any friend of Kyrie to be a lowly bench scrub.