The dynamic between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell has reportedly gotten to a point where the big guy is demanding Utah front office executives that it’s “him or me” and could possibly request that he or Mitchell get traded out of Utah per Sean O’Connell.
Gobert has reportedly grown frustrated that the Jazz haven’t made any significant moves.
“I know I am not usually @utahjazz breaking news guy, but a source close to situation has informed me that Rudy Gobert is at ‘him or me’ point with Donovan Mitchell and will demand that one of them be traded in next few days,” says Sean O’Connell of SiriusXM. “Doesn’t feel they will win championship together.”
Gobert has since responded directly to the report.
The reported rift between the two franchise cornerstones has been talked about ever since Gobert and Mitchell became the NBA’s Patient Zero for COVID-19, causing the League to shut down for several months before the Orlando Bubble came about.
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“My understanding is that conversation has yet to happen,” O’Connell said per KSL Podcast. “Maybe he and his agent are formulating a better strategy than a simple ultimatum, and that’s why we haven’t had anything. This is from a very trusted, hashtag, source for me, and it could be less than 100 percent complete information from what Rudy and his camp are actually planning on doing. Obviously, I’ll fully allow for that.”
Gobert averaged 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game during the regular season. However, his style of play has come under fire for being unable to guard forwards and centers who can stretch the floor.
Meanwhile, Mitchell finished the 2021-22 season, averaging 25.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Mitchell has tended to settle more for jumpers instead of exploding to the rim like he’s done in the past. Even though it’s not talked about much, Mitchell can be terrible on the defensive side of the ball as well, which would constantly leave Gobert on an island to try and check his man while living his wide open.
Despite that, it is hard to think that the Jazz will trade Mitchell and keep Gobert going forward. This is a guard driven league.
