Gobert Says He’s Spoken To Mitchell About Fractured Relationship

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have begun the process of mending their reportedly troubled relationship according to the Utah Jazz center. On an Instagram Live video with broadcaster Taylor Rooks, Gobert said the two players have spoken recently about their relationships in light of the All-Star teammates testing positive for the coronavirus.

“It’s true that we didn’t speak for a while after this. But we spoke a few days ago. We’re both ready to go out there and try to win a championship for this team.” Gobert said, “It’s not about being unprofessional, everyone has got different relationships — it’s never perfect. People that are married, it’s never perfect. Me and my teammates, it’s far from perfect but at the end of the day, we both want the same thing — it’s winning. We’re grown men, and we want to win.”

Rudy Gobert with Taylor Rooks speaking about mending his relationship with Donovan Mitchell. (🎥: _jwager8) pic.twitter.com/ogEgSUW6Tq

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 13, 2020

The news of the players working to find common ground should ease the fears of Jazz fans who have been handwringing on social media about reports of a fractured locker room.

Gobert was the first NBA player to test positive for the virus leading to a suspension of the league’s season. Mitchell’s positive results were revealed the next morning after the team was tested in Oklahoma City the night before.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the damaged relationship in light of the positive tests. Gobert was notoriously flippant in his initial approach to the dangers of the virus.

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported that the two players spoke on the phone Saturday about their relationship.

The phone conversation between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell occurred Saturday and it went well in the first step toward repairing their relationship, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. Gobert revealed the talks on his IG Live with @TaylorRooks.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 13, 2020

“I’m someone who jokes around all the time,” Gobert said on Instagram, “People that really know me now my heart. Touching the mics made me look bad — It’s all about perception.”

Both Mitchell and Gobert have been cleared by Utah’s Department of Health. Gobert is isolating at his Salt Lake City home while Mitchell is with his mother in New York.

Late last week, The Athletic reported that the relationship between the two players “doesn’t appear salvageable.”

Mitchell hasn’t spoken publically about his conversations with Gobert since appearing on Good Morning America soon after this diagnosis.

“To be honest with you, Robin, it took a while, for me to kinda cool off,” Mitchell said, “I read what he said and I heard what he said. You know, I’m glad he’s doing ok. I’m glad I’m doing well.

EXCLUSIVE: “I think that’s the scariest part about this virus is that you may seem fine.” @NBA star @spidadmitchell speaks out for the first time from isolation since being diagnosed with COVID-19, despite being “asymptomatic.” https://t.co/i9rZzYvW4s pic.twitter.com/wZJBteQjtV

— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 16, 2020

As the NBA closely monitors its ability to return to action after the pandemic, the Jazz top priority will be to mend the relationship between the two stars. The phone call between the two appears to be a step in the right direction for the organization.