The October 31 deadline for 2013 first-round draft picks to agree to a contract extension with their respective teams or else hit restricted free agency next summer is fast approaching. Fortunately, the Utah Jazz and center Rudy Gobert may not have much to worry about.
According to a report by Marc Stein of ESPN on Friday, Gobert is considered the likeliest candidate of those still on the board to be extended before the deadline at the end of the month.
The 24-year-old Frenchman averaged 9.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game in 2015-16 despite missing 21 games with an MCL sprain.
Perhaps the top rim patroller in the NBA with his 7-foot-9 wingspan and a 41.0 field goal percentage allowed at the basket last season that ranked tops amongst qualified players (per Nylon Calculus), Gobert is the unquestioned anchor of the Jazz defense. He has also expanded his offensive game beyond just lobs and putbacks, adding a floater and some creative reverse finishes to his toolbox. Gobert has gone 29-for-38 (.763) from the free throw line in four preseason contests as well, which is remarkable improvement for a career 58.5 percent foul shooter, small sample size notwithstanding.
With the very likely possibility of another core player becoming a free agent come next offseason, hammering out an extension for Gobert seems like the right move for the Jazz to make at this point.
