USA Today via Reuters
Jan 1, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after a basket against the LA Clippers in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 1, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after a basket against the LA Clippers in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Many heads turned when the Utah Jazz gave a massive $205 million extension to Rudy Gobert. While the two-time DPOY is an elite player, he isn’t a big enough game-changer to command the most handsome contract ever for a big man (at that time).
Since Gobert isn’t near them in terms of quality, the Jazz received a lot of criticism. Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal took digs at Gobert for this, and now, former NBA champion Darko Milicic has chimed in. He believes that if Gobert can receive such a contract, his compatriot Nikola Jokic deserves a lot more.
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“We must be aware that money is the basis of NBA’s existence. If Gobert is worth that much money, then our Jokic should sign a contract for 500,000,000 dollars. That’s how much better he is than Rudy,” Milicic said.
Will the Rudy Gobert contract hold back the Utah Jazz from competing?
The Jazz had reportedly offered a normal max contract to Gobert initially. But he held out and believed he could get more. The Jazz eventually gave in, proving that a small market team like them had to overpay to keep hold of the All-Stars they have. But will this move come back to bite them later?
At the moment, the Jazz won’t be complaining. They are sitting on top of the Western Conference with their 16-5 record. Gobert is averaging 13.3 points and 13.4 rebounds per game while shooting 60% from the field. The Jazz also have four players who are scoring more than Gobert.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 5, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Bruce Brown (1) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
They may be on a good run now, but the big question is, will the Jazz be able to have a similar run when it matters, which is, during the playoffs?
Regular-season performances mean nothing unless you show up in the playoffs. The Miami Heat made it to the NBA Finals as the fifth seed last season, which shows that regular season performances often have little bearing on the playoffs.
The Jazz have a good team now, but Gobert’s contract makes it tough for them to strengthen the team next season onwards. In 2025, the 33-year-old Gobert can earn $46 million. Jazz fans will wonder how the team will build in the future with a chunk of the cap being occupied by Gobert.
