Bulls possible for Rudy Gobert

The Utah Jazz have no apparent interest in trading All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. Not even after a tumultuous few months that included a forgettable performance in the first round of the playoffs and the departure of longtime coach Quin Snyder.

Rudy Gobert, on the other hand, could be a different story.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the Jazz have signed multiple teams about the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, with the Chicago Bulls emerging as a possible contender. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor was the first to mention the Bulls as a potential landing spot for Gobert.

With a long-reported rift between Gobert and Mitchell dating back to before the pandemic began, the duo may finally be on the verge of parting ways.

Should such a trade materialize, Gobert would immediately be placed among a strong supporting cast including star DeMar DeRozan and dominant perimeter defenders Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso. Zach LaVine is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Double All Star center Nikola Vucevic, who despite a poor season still has a lot to offer, should probably be involved in a potential deal. It’s unclear who else the Bulls would be willing to part ways with. The Jazz would almost certainly target No. 4 overall pick Patrick Williams, a potential two-way forward they’ve missed since Gordon Hayward.

Chicago’s lack of temporary capital is hurting them in the trading market. The Orlando Magic will either have the first-round pick of the Bulls’ top four proteges in 2023 or the top-three pick of the Bulls’ proteges in 2024 following the Vucevic trade. The Spurs are also in line to receive a lightly protected pick in 2025 from the DeRozan trade.

As for Gobert, his five-year, $205 million contract that runs through 2025-26 with a player option worth $46 million last season adds another complicated layer. Shelling out that money for a player whose poor perimeter defense and lackluster shot-creating ability have been in question throughout the playoffs is a risk the Bulls will have to be prepared to take.

Along with the Bulls, the Raptors, Hawks and Mavericks have all reportedly shown interest in Gobert. With several other teams also likely to emerge, the market for the best rim guard in the NBA is only heating up.