I find it confusing how many people watch Utah and come to the conclusion that Gobert is the problem. Their star guard doesn't defend and gets periodic cases of bad tunnel vision, their #2 scorer doesn't pass or defend, their 6MOTY bench gunner doesn't pass or defend, their PG is 34 and has lost a step in addition to being horrendous in these playoffs. Despite all that Gobert is the part that needs to be traded?
People fixate on the idea that Gobert doesn't defend the perimeter well. He's a drop big who is the best paint defender of this decade. Defending the perimeter is not his job. The much larger issue for Utah is the fact that the team's actual perimeter defenders also can't defend the perimeter. Rather than playing shooters tight and funneling drivers into Gobert in the middle like they're supposed to, they just... don't take anything from the opposing offense at all.
I don't know. Maybe I'm the one who is wrong about all of this. I just feel like trading Gobert - especially for a guy who doesn't want to play - does not address Utah's biggest problems and will most likely make them worse instead.
I'm with you. I have a higher opinion of Donovan Mitchell but aside from that we are on the same page.
It is ludicrous to me to trade Gobert. You are not going to get anywhere near equal value for a defense-only player like him. Utah will take a major step back if they trade him.
Gobert is the glue that holds that team together and makes it work. Mitchell is the special sauce that gives it a chance to succeed in the postseason against superior talent.
I also do not view Mitchell as an easy player to build around. He has the game of a #1 star who monopolizes the ball but lacks the efficiency to be a true franchise guy. The more offensive talent you put around him the less you will get out him. He is not the type of player who will do better when asked to share the ball more.
This is not the type of guy who is easy to build around. You don't throw away high level players like Gobert -- and I say throw away because in no world are they going to get back comparable talent -- to try and build around awkward to build around stars like Mitchell.
Mitchell and Gobert are the two guys you would want to keep with the rest of the roster replaceable. If one of those guys needs to be moved, I'd move Mitchell and keep Gobert. Better relative trade value and superior roster after the trade.