The Utah Jazz shocked the NBA world on Friday as they shipped off Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves in one of the more notable blockbuster trades in quite a while.
Utah acquired four players and an astounding four first-round picks in exchange for Gobert. Among these four picks, three of them are unprotected, including Minnesota’s first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
One could suggest that this move from the Jazz may signal the start of a complete rebuilding phase. However, this may not be the case after all.
According to 98.7 Arizona Sports radio host John Gambadoro, the Jazz have an “interest” in exploring a move for Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton. Gambadoro adds that such a possible acquisition would have to be a sign-and-trade one, as the Jazz do not hold the cap space needed to outright sign him.
Ahead of the start of this year’s NBA free agency period, the Suns tendered a $16.4 million qualifying offer to Ayton, which made him a restricted free agent. They can match any free agent offers that the center receives, although general manager James Jones has been reported to be intrigued in a sign-and-trade agreement to at the least acquire players or picks for him.
Ayton has been linked with multiple teams this week. For one, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted that the Timberwolves would be a team to watch in the Ayton sweepstakes, but they are essentially now out of the running for him after hauling in Gobert. More so, the Brooklyn Nets are reportedly not interested in acquiring him, which comes as the Suns have been linked with Kevin Durant.
On the other hand, all eyes are now set on just what the Jazz plan to do in regard to Donovan Mitchell’s future in Utah.
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