Normally, when an NBA team trades a star player, they reveal their short-term intentions. In the case of the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert, it’s not that simple.
On the one hand, Gobert’s relationship with co-star Donovan Mitchell had obviously disintegrated him. At first glance, one might assume that in trading him, the Jazz made an overture to Mitchell in an effort to keep him.
On the other hand, the return they Jazz received for Gobert says otherwise. They did receive some quality players for Gobert, but in an immediate sense, this team downgraded significantly.
Trading Gobert could have merely been the first step towards a wholesale rebuild.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz Open To Donovan Mitchell Trade Talks
In that event, the Jazz ought to shop other veterans on this squad. After all, they have plenty of contributors that contenders would be happy to acquire. Perhaps none of them will yield as much value as Mike Conley.
Assuming the Jazz are open to moving him, here are three deals that find them doing so.