Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Ivica Zubac
Utah Jazz Receive: F Marcus Morris Sr., F Kelly Oubre Jr., G Luke Kennard, F Brandon Boston Jr., 2025 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2027 First-Round Pick (LAC)
LA Clippers Receive: C Rudy Gobert
By including the Charlotte Hornets, the Utah Jazz find a way to add an extra first-round pick to their Rudy Gobert return.
Granted, it comes at the cost of Ivica Zubac. He’s the Hornets’ incentive to get involved. They need a starting-caliber center badly. Oubre Jr. and a first-round pick may be a steep price for Zubac, but given the glaring hole in their rotation at that position, they may deem it one worth paying.
The Jazz shouldn’t be concerned either way. Replacing Gobert instantly is convenient, but it isn’t necessary. They shouldn’t be in any rush at the beginning of a rebuild. At 26, Oubre Jr. is at an age where, if they want to orchestrate a quick rebuild, he can be part of it. Otherwise, they can move him in a separate deal.
No NBA front office likes to have its hand forced. In this era of player empowerment, it’s sometimes an unavoidable circumstance. If the Jazz feel like they’ve got no choice but to part with Gobert this summer, either of these deals will make them better in the long run.
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They’d also each put them in a better position to capitalize on the lottery in 2023.
