2) Chicago Bulls early 2020-21 trade targets
A potential free agent that will be a big name in the 2021 class is the Utah Jazz first-time All-Star selection (from last season) and the 28 year-old standout two-way big man Rudy Gobert. This towering 7-foot-1 and 260 pound center is now a three-time All-NBA Team selection, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a four-time All-Defensive Team selection.
He also won a blocks title during the 2016-17 season.
Gobert caught a lot of flack with the Jazz, especially with his teammate and star guard Donovan Mitchell, with the way he handled the novel coronavirus at the wake of the pandemic. But that seems to have largely tided over in Salt Lake City and the Jazz could be back on the right track with Gobert and Mitchell, at least for the 2020-21 season.
During the shortened 2019-20 regular season, Gobert played in 68 games with the Jazz (all of which he started in). And he averaged 15.1 points per game, 13.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.0 blocks. Gobert shot 69.3 percent from the field and 63.0 percent from the free-throw line.
While there’s definitely no guarantee that the Jazz are going to part ways with Gobert at the trade deadline (or before then) this season, it’s also not out the question that he’ll be on the move. If the Jazz aren’t right in the midst of the contenders in the Western Conference for a title this season, then they might try to get whatever they can from Gobert before he hits the free agent market next offseason.