Following their first-round playoff exit, the Utah Jazz are expected by many to shake up the roster for next season. The most likely way for the organization to do so is by trading Rudy Gobert. Moving Donovan Mitchell in a blockbuster trade is another option.

There’s been plenty of speculation regarding possible trade destinations for Gobert. At this point, however, Utah has yet to take any material steps in trying to move its starting center.

The second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs is barely underway. Some of the most logical Gobert suitors are still competing for a championship. Trades can’t even be officially completed for another two months.

Rudy Gobert and his agent still have to meet with the Jazz for their annual exit meeting, The Athletic reports. The meeting is expected to determine if either side wants to explore a trade.

That hasn’t stopped rumors from circulating about Gobert’s future with the team. The veteran seemingly refuted one rumor that claimed Gobert will demand that Utah trades either himself or Mitchell.

In the 2021-2022 regular season, Gobert averaged 15.6 points and 2.1 blocks per game. He set career highs with 14.7 rebounds per game and 71.3% field-goal shooting. Gobert made his third straight All-Star team and finished third in voting for the Defensive Player of the Year award, which he’s won three times since 2018.

Gobert’s defensive dominance hasn’t translated into playoff success for the Jazz. In their 4-2 series loss against the Dallas Mavericks, Utah ranked 10th among 16 playoff teams in defensive rating. The Jazz finished the regular season with the 10th-best defensive rating among the league’s 30 teams.

Utah had the third-best defense in the 2020-21 regular season. In the 2021 playoffs, only four teams had a worse defense than the Jazz.

Gobert and the Jazz have made six straight playoff appearances without a trip to the Western Conference Finals.

Gobert is entering the second season of a five-year, $205 million contract.

Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz warms up before Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
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