The first domino in the NBA offseason for the Utah Jazz has fallen, as head coach Quin Synder has stepped from his position with the team. The search for his replacement is underway and there is a good chance that this is the first of many sizable changes that will occur in Salt Lake City this offseason.
In addition to the coaching staff, the roster could look a lot different once the 2022-23 regular season rolls around compared to who was on the court for the Jazz during their first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks. This is part of the process when a new front office is put in place; changes are assuredly soon to follow.
Utah added former Boston Celtics front office member Danny Ainge to the mix during the season, taking over as the CEO of basketball operations. Ainge is hoping that he can help the Jazz find more playoff success.
The team has been excellent in the regular season in recent years, as Synder stepped down with a record of 372-264 in eight seasons. That success did not translate to the postseason, as Utah never advanced beyond the second round despite some favorable matchups.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz Weighing Rudy Gobert Trade; Raptors Team To Watch
Ainge will be tasked with reshaping the roster in a way that results in that change. That could mean trading one of the team’s two All-Stars in Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. According to Marc Stein on his Substack, Gobert trade scenarios will be explored aggressively.
“Ainge’s rivals have nonetheless expected for months that he will be aggressive in exploring trade options, starting with All-Star center Rudy Gobert, to shake up a stagnating roster.”
Utah should have no issues finding a landing spot for Rudy Gobert as he is a game-changer on the defensive end of the court. He can make more of an impact on offense than he did with the Utah Jazz as well as they rarely looked into him on switches and when he’d have a mismatch.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz Weighing Rudy Gobert Trade; Raptors Team To Watch
The market for him should be robust. There are a lot of teams that could use some help in the middle and Gobert could be the best center on the market. Teams such as the Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Portland Trail Blazers could show a level of interest in the three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner.
