zero24gravity wrote:I've read a few things over the past couple weeks regarding the Hawks being a potential trade partner for Gobert.
For the record, I'm on team Gobert. I also firmly agree that the team giving up the best player rarely "wins" the trade (unless you luck into a draft pick you traded for working out down the road, but you can't count on that).
Still, the Hawks have some pieces that wouldn't be the worst idea in the world, if the Jazz are, in fact, wanting to trade the big man. All trades involve Clint Capella, who is a good starting center that defends and gives a bit more mobility to the position that Rudy. He also has 3 more years on his contract, so he's not a short term rental. All trades also include the Hawks #16 pick. That pick would be needed to make any option work, IMO. The Jazz need a youth injection, and #16 would be a nice get. So, it's just a matter of who else would help the team best.
Trade idea #1: Clint Capella + John Collins + #16 pick for Rudy Gobert + Jared Butler or Udoka Azubuike
This trade adds length & athleticism to the Jazz frontcourt. I've always liked Collins, who at 6'9" (with great hops), can also knock it down from deep. He has 4 years on his contract at about $23m per. The downside is this would wrap up $41m in these 2 players for the next few years, and also doesn't address backcourt or wing length, so that would have to be done elsewhere. But it would allow Royce to go to the bench and hopefully the Jazz could make another move to get bigger/longer/better D by using Conley or Bogey as bait. I think the Jazz would have to give up a young asset to make this work, hence the addition of Butler or Azubuike. (I'd prefer to keep Butler, but would understand if he needed to be added to bring in Collins.)
Trade idea #2: Clint Capella + Kevin Huerter (+ Delon Wright?) + #16 pick for Rudy Gobert
The idea here is to add guard length, and without quite the massive salary hit of Collins ($23m). Hueter is a 6'7" shooter, who could be a starter (not ideal) or great off the bench, especially if Clarkson was moved elsewhere. He is also on a long term contract (4 years, about $16.5m each). I also like the idea of potentially adding Delon Wright to the deal on a short-term sign & trade, if Delon would be open to coming back to Utah, where he played college ball. A 6'5" versatile guard off the bench would fill a need. No loss of Butler/Azubuike in this trade.
Trade idea #3: Clint Capella + Bogdon Bogdonovic, (+ Delon Wright?) + #16 pick + future 2nd round pick for Rudy Gobert
Oh come on, who doesn't want to see Bojan & Bogdon on the same team, right!? Very similar to the Huerter trade, this adds a bigger wing (6'6"), on a non-expiring contract (2 years, $18m), who could start or come off the bench. Bogdon is more of a proven commodity than Huerter, but is also a little older (23 vs 29) & had some knee issues last season. I'd still like to see Wright somehow added to the pot, in the scenario. Add a Hawks future 2nd round pick, due to the knee & age, just to make it a little more enticing. Also, no loss of Butler/Azubuike in this trade.
Adding to these thoughts ....
I just read a Tony Jones tweet that the Jazz have offered the Hawks; Gobert & Bogey for Collins De'Andre Hunter, #16 pick & a future pick. This would leave the Jazz horribly thin at center, but Hunter & Collins are both young studs and would address the teams lack of length and athleticism immediately, plus still nab them #16. I've also read the Hawks aren't willing to trade Hunter, so not sure if this is a realistic offer or not.