Report: Gobert To Tell Jazz It’s ‘Me Or Him’ With Mitchell
May 2, 2022, 12:00 PM | Updated: 4:12 pm
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert #27 against the Memphis Grizzlies during Round 1, Game 3 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on May 29, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Rudy Gobert is prepared to tell the Utah Jazz that they need to choose between him and fellow All-Star Donovan Mitchell when it comes to roster construction this summer.
According to SiriusXM radio host Sean O’Connell, Gobert is preparing to present the Jazz with the ultimatum in the coming days.
“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,” O’Connell tweeted. “Doesn’t feel they will win championship together.”
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. Doesn't feel they will win championship together.
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) May 2, 2022
O’Connell joined The Zone Sports Radio Network and elaborated on Gobert’s plans.
“He doesn’t think that he and Donovan together are going to win at the level that would be satisfying for someone who’s a three-time Defensive Player of the Year,” O’Connell said.
Under Gobert and Mitchell, the Jazz have failed to make it out of the second round in five trips to the postseason, and have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.
Now, Gobert is planning to inform the Jazz of his preference per O’Connell.
“My understanding is that that conversation has yet to happen and is expected to happen in the next couple of days,” O’Connell said. “He’s going to express the him or me sentiments, and either ask that he be relocated or that Donovan be relocated.”
With the Jazz season having ended in Thursday’s Game 6 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, they are free to trade either Gobert or Mitchell to any other team whose season has also ended.
However, teams still playing in the postseason can’t make trades until their season has ended.
Gobert will turn 30 in June and is under contract with the Jazz through the summer of 2026. The three-time All-Star is owed roughly $170 million over the final four years of his deal.
Mitchell will turn 26 this summer and is similarly under contract through 2026. The Jazz owe Mitchell $133 million over the next four years.
Both Mitchell and Gobert have player options in the final years of their contracts.
KSL Sports reached out to the Jazz for comment and currently, they are not commenting on the matter.
