Why Utah Jazz Make This Trade
Why does this deal make sense for the Utah Jazz? Well, because Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert hate each other’s guts.
There’s no doubt that this star tandem needs to be broken up, but is this the right deal to get it done? That depends on how highly Utah Jazz President Danny Ainge views Patrick Williams. Williams certainly has the potential to be a devastating two-way weapon someday, but he has a lot of growing to do before he sniffs Gobert’s impact.
Nikola Vucevic certainly isn’t the worst defender in the league, but the Jazz would probably be the worst defense in the NBA if it weren’t for Rudy Gobert. Their perimeter defense is made up entirely of traffic cones and turnstiles, and Vucevic’s lack of verticality, positioning and timing would lead to a parade of layups for whoever’s playing this hypothetical version of Utah.
No, if the Jazz is to have any semblance of a competent defense, they would need Patrick Williams to grow into a Draymond Green, Robert Williams, Evan Mobley-type help defender and fast.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz Rapidly Approaching Time To End Mitchell, Gobert Era
Vucci Mane would be a significant upgrade on offense, so the hope would be that the Utah Jazz could outgun most of their opponents and string together enough stops along the way to win some games.
Coby White should help in that regard as a trigger-happy, athletic scoring guard with potential. He and Mike Conley should be a perfect fit as a mentor-apprentice pairing.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz Rapidly Approaching Time To End Mitchell, Gobert Era
All in all, this trade depends entirely on Patrick Williams’s development. With no insurance coming in the form of draft picks, it’s difficult to see the notoriously stingy Danny Ainge pulling the trigger on this deal, even if he’s Patrick Williams’s biggest fan. Other teams could and would be happy to outbid the Chicago Bulls in this trade.
