In an appearance on The Lowe Post podcast, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said the Mavericks would have “significant interest” in Jazz center Rudy Gobert if Utah makes him available this summer. Gobert would also “love to play with Luka (Doncic),” according to MacMahon (hat tip ProCity Hoops via Twitter).
Gobert would prefer to stay in Utah, MacMahon stated, but Dallas would be “very aggressive” in pursuit of the three-time Defensive Player of the Year if he’s put on the market.
Of course, this talk was based on Utah’s performance in the playoffs this season, as the team could make major changes if it’s unsuccessful in making a deep playoff run — it could even be a championship-or-bust scenario, depending on how certain players react. Still, it’s interesting that the Mavs apparently value Gobert so highly, given his pricey contract over the next several years.
Here are a few more notes from the Southwest Division:
- Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said that Ja Morant is starting to ramp up his activity and is “feeling good,” according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link). Morant’s sore right knee is expected to be reevaluated next Thursday. He’s expected to be back for the team’s playoff run.
- Tyus Jones‘ strong play starting in place of Morant could make him too expensive for the Grizzlies to keep this summer, Cole writes. Jones is leading the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio for the fourth straight season and could be in line for a raise on the $8.4MM he’s earning in 2021/22. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer in a pretty weak point guard class. In 21 starts this season, Jones is averaging 12.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 6.8 against 0.95 TOPG, a ratio of about 7-to-1. He’s also a solid defender and sports a .450/.373/.838 shooting line in 30.3 MPG as a starter.
- After switching from center to power forward, Jaxson Hayes‘ future in the league looks bright, writes Christian Clark of NOLA.com. The former first-round pick is eligible for a rookie scale extension this summer, but multiple sources think an extension might be unlikely, Clark relays. One reason for that is Hayes has some positional overlap with Zion Williamson, so New Orleans might want to see how they fit together before committing to Hayes long-term. Assuming he sticks with the Pelicans through next season and doesn’t sign an extension, Hayes would become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2023 if the team gives him a qualifying offer.
I am no much of a fan of Rudy, but can’t see how his contract is pricey.
Get your eyes checked
If I’m looking at the Mavs roster besides Doncic nothing excites me tbh so I can’t see that deal actually happening. Looking for a spot to make Gobert happy he should try the Knicks and link up with fellow French man Evan Fouriner.
Jazz: John Collins, Nerlens Noel, Jalen Johnson, a first from knicks and a second from hawks.
Hawks: Julius Randle and Derrick Rose
Knicks: Rudy Gobert
Donovan Mitchell and John Collins are good friends, John is also from Utah so it’s a return home. The Jazz reload with young players and picks. Expect more moves to come for the Jazz.
Knicks get a top 5 centre in Gobert who will bring elite rim protection. They get rid of Randle and that opens up minutes for Toppin at PF.
Hawks get Randle after 5 years with Collins hopefully Randle can take them a little further. They give up Jalen Johnson but add Derrick Rose as the bench point guard who will be a huge addition.
Rudy should go to NY because… Evan Fournier?? Comment section at midnight is a wild place
Nice trade for every team … Even if Spida is maybe the one who wants out of Utah the most.
If they moving off gobert, then they going full tank.
I know they have new ownership but Utah has never gone full tank. Not after Williams, not even after Hayward.
Lmao give up John, Jalen & a 2nd for that? Please pick a different team to destroy
Your so funny bro, Collins for Randle basically equal and then Jalen Johnson and a second for DRose that’s a win.
In what world is trading Jalen & a 2nd for DRose a W? It’s not 2010. You’re definitely not alone in underrating Jalen Johnson but for you to put John & Jalen both in the same trade is pretty obviously ridiculous. I wouldn’t trade either one of those guys for Randle. We already have a guy that gives us what Rose would give us in Lou Williams. Adding below average defenders that need to handle the ball alot to be optimally effective is the opposite of what the Hawks should be doing
My guess Lou retires and then you need a bench point. As for DRose he is consistently one of the best bench point guards for the past few seasons.
As for your rating on Johnson, you as a hawks fan are obviously biased but you always seem to think so highly of your young players and think almost everyone of them is a star in waiting. Johnson is nice and has potential but he’s not even someone who contributes every night off the bench.
Delon Wright is already our backup pg & has obv been much better than DRose this yr bc Rose been hurt all yr. Seems extremely obv that we wouldn’t wanna trade for a $15M backup pg that’s past his prime & extremely injury prone. If Lou retires we have Skylar Mays who’s way cheaper that can fill that role. Delon’s elite level perimeter defense makes him a much better fit for us than a below average defender like Rose… Lol you’re right that Jalen hasn’t contribute much in his NBA career so far. All I can say is just watch him play & it’s extremely obvious that he’s gonna be a big time player
Knicks fans are always talking about high profile scoring pgs as their answer at pg this summer but Tyus Jones is the guy they should pursue. He’s steady, smart & he would make the game easier for guys like RJ & Obi especially. Finding a way to sign Tyus to a 3yr $40-45M deal & drafting Jaden Hardy or TyTy Washington should be 2 of their top prioroties along with trading Randle & finding Robinson’s replacement if/when he leaves
Your Knick ideas suck as always.
Houston could offer CWood, Wall, Jae’Sean, Brooklyn’s ’24 1st & Hous ’25 2nd for French Rudy, UConn Rudy & Juancho… Charlotte could offer PJ, Mase, T$unami P, Bouknight & a pick swap for Rudy… Dallas could offer THJ, Powell, Josh Green, ’25 & ’27 1sts (top10 protected & a 2nd for Rudy…
Pela have every reason not to commit to Jaxson Hayes this summer. 1. Zion’s return, 2. Hayes’ run-ins with the law, 3. FA is only restricted, 4. the current level of success has only been one year and he may have some instability (see 2).
On the other hand, Tyus Jones though has been at his high level for 6 years! Even his defensive numbers are solid at 6-0, and yesterday it was reported he is doing it at off-ball too. Past due to get a starting job. Griz have Melton at PG too.
Why would Rudy be available. Jazz are built around him. If he is moved then they cleaning the whole house. I doubt they do that. Both he and Mitchell are signed for yrs. Dummest shhh I’ve heard.
Can’t build a championship team around a big.