NBA trade rumors: Atlanta Hawks could make a move for Rudy Gobert

The Atlanta Hawks are a potential trade destination for Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.

If Utah Jazz star center Rudy Gobert is dealt this offseason, it might be to the Atlanta Hawks.

Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report reported “the Hawks could be the most natural Gobert trade partner for the Utah Jazz.” Fischer’s reporting suggests that Atlanta has made seemingly everyone not named Trae Young available for trade. It should be noted that he later mentioned Atlanta is likely extending De’Andre Hunter, as well as probably giving a bit more run to Onyeka Okongwu.

With Danny Ainge’s interest in the likes of key Atlanta players such as Clint Capela, John Collins and Kevin Huerter, some combination of that trio, plus the No. 16 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft could be going Utah’s way in a huge deal for the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. This potential move could help set up both teams for future success down the line.

Atlanta could also look to move a player in Collins to a team like the Portland Trail Blazers. This would allow the Blazers to compete right away with Damian Lillard still in his prime, as well as allow the Hawks to get back into the lottery portion with the No. 7 pick. Fischer hints Atlanta’s target at No. 7 in that hypothetical scenario would be G League Ignite combo guard Dyson Daniels.

Is Gobert the right fit for the Hawks or should they try to see if they can land Donovan Mitchell?

NBA trade rumors: Atlanta Hawks could be the team that deals for Rudy Gobert

The biggest open secret in the NBA is that Gobert and Mitchell do not get along at all. With Quin Snyder peacing out on the Jazz after eight seasons, now is the right time for the well-run Jazz to reshape their roster to avoid rebuilding all together. Though Gobert would be a great piece for Atlanta to win with in the frontcourt, Mitchell could be the picturesque No. 2 alongside Young.

If Atlanta trades for Gobert, one would expect Capela and Collins to be gone. One will go to the Jazz in the deal, while the other could be on another team entirely. Having one elite big man who thrives on defense will do a great job of complementing Young’s game. Since he is an elite distributor of the basketball, it will probably make Gobert a slightly better offensive player as well.

As far as if the Hawks should make a trade of this magnitude with the Jazz, it all depends on what the Atlanta front office wants to do. On July 1, Landry Fields will be promoted to general manager and will work under president of basketball operations Travis Schlenk. Fields is only 33-years-old, but the Stanford graduate is a basketball lifer and is in a great spot professionally.

While it remains to be seen what Atlanta will do this offseason, one thing is for certain: They are not going to be trotting back the same core that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals two summers ago. The Hawks may have caught lightning in a bottle back then, but this team is not disciplined enough defensively to win multiple playoff series again as the roster as constructed.

Gobert would be a great pickup for Atlanta defensively, but trading for him will not come cheap.