For many, Rudy Gobert will go down in history as the first NBA star that tested positive for COVID-19 but he is actually a big man asset of the Utah Jazz that rival teams will want to trade for. When the league resumes the games and its business dealings, the center is likely to get a new home.
One possible destination for the defensive specialist is Chicago, which analysts said badly needs to improve limiting the opponents' ability to score. It would be unsurprising that the Bulls will want to land Gobert as he boasts of being the NBA's king of defense twice.
If the Bull will want to enter the next season having a fearsome defensive wall, then luring Gobert out of Utah will be a good start.
According to Fadeaway World, for the Jazz to start talking on the deal, the Bulls front office will need to make a tempting offer. The possible package for Utah to consider will consist of Otto Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, and Chandler Hutchison. For good measure, a 2020 first-round draft pick will be included.
In exchange, Gobert will bring with him Ed Davis and the promise of reshaping the Bulls' game. As the report indicated, the All-Star has been a centerpiece of the Jazz in the past years and joining up with Chicago will jumpstart the club's desire to relive the glory days of the Michael Jordan era.
As for Utah, shipping out Gobert will refocus the team and the new emphasis will be the 23-year-old Donovan Mitchell, who the report said is seen as one of the emerging shooting guards in the league.
Also, the Jazz getting Porter and Markkanen on the deal will mean that the team will be getting a significant frontcourt upgrade. The would-be acquisitions are proven competent operators on both ends of the court, which for Utah is certainly a welcome development.
NBC Sports said Gobert is also wanted by the Wizards in hopes that his presence in Washington will make life easier for marquee players John Wall and Bradley Beal. The Jazz star was averaging 15.1 points and 13.7 rebounds per game before the games were suspended and he is a mighty force inside the paint, both offensively and defensively.
So it's a no-brainer that the Wizards will want the big man in the offseason. The receiving team, however, should consider that Gobert has limitations like he's not part of the emerging bunch of big men that can sink from a distance. Gobert has made a living mostly a few feet from the rim.
The Jazz star is likewise struggling to contain switches as he's not that quick on lateral movements. But his minimum two blocks per game should compensate for that waterloo.
