2) Realistic star trade targets for Chicago Bulls: Rudy Gobert
One of the least popular trade options that a lot of teams might be able to find on the open market over the course of the next six or eight months could be the Utah Jazz standout center Rudy Gobert. “The Stifle Tower” stands at 7-foot-1 and 260 pounds, and had one of his best seasons yet during the 2019-20 campaign.
Gobert was a first-time NBA All-Star selection during the 2019-20 campaign. He’s also a three-time All-NBA Team selection, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, four-time All-Defensive Team selection, and the 2016-17 blocks champ. He excelled in the 68 games he played in during the shortened 2019-20 regular season with the Jazz (all of which he started in).
And Gobert averaged 15.1 points per game, 13.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.0 blocks. He shot 69.3 percent from the field and 63.0 percent from the free-throw line.
It does appear that the relationship between standout guard Donovan Mitchell and Gobert in the Jazz locker room could be fractured for good. After the positive novel coronavirus test for the latter of those two stars, it was understandably difficult to make amends.
Since Gobert and Mitchell are both free agents next offseason, the Jazz might only try and keep one of them around over the long haul. The early signs would point to them keeping Mitchell around, with the way he played in the bubble at Disney World this year, over Gobert.