Rudy Gobert has been a revelation for the Utah Jazz. The center was a steal in the draft in 2013. Since then, he has become arguably the best defensive big man in the league and a strong pick-and-roll threat offensively.
Gobert is now available for an extension. It would only make sense that the Jazz keep their center long-term.
For his part, Gobert is not focused on that issue. The Frenchman told reporters at media day that he’s focused on the season rather than the extension talks (via Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune):
“Most important is the season,” Gobert said Monday, as Jazz players gathered for the start of training camp activities. “I’m working for the season.”
“Everybody knows I want to be here,”
“Whether I sign this year or next, I’m focused on the season,” he said. “It’s not going to change anything.”
Gobert seems intent to re-sign with the Jazz at some point. They would be wise to lock him up sooner rather than later. If they miss the extension deadline, Rudy Gobert becomes a restricted free agent next summer. Some team would and should be willing to offer him the max at that point so if the Jazz can get him cheaper, they need to jump right on that.
