This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
By most accounts, Jazz center Rudy Gobert's massive new contract appears be in line with the going market rate for NBA big men.
Gobert is guaranteed $90 million, with a ceiling of around $102 if he reaches a series of incentives. Because Gobert is unique — he's a premier shot blocker and rebounder, with an improving offensive game — the Jazz wouldn't be able to replicate his skills if he wasn't on the roster.
At the same time, Gobert's contract works for the Jazz. For as much money as he will be paid, Utah didn't have to dish out max dollars to retain his services. Gobert, during negotiations this past summer, stated his desire to stay in Utah. And he backed up his words by accepting a lucrative deal that didn't break the Jazz's bank.
This is an important detail for the Jazz going forward. Much of the young talent general manager Dennis Lindsey has secured over the past few seasons is destined for bigger money. As such, the Jazz know they need to straddle a thin line. Paying that young talent is a must. But so is doing it under the salary cap, and having the ability to cash others in moving towards the future.
"Rudy made it abundantly clear to his agent and to myself that he wanted to reach a fair deal for himself," Lindsey said. "But he wanted to do so, while also allowing the team to have flexibility and control a core piece going forward."
Ultimately, Gobert's deal may prove a turning point for the Jazz. It locks up one of the best defenders in the league as he's rounding into his prime. It sets up an intriguing set of possibilities for the Jazz, as they approach what will be an important offseason next summer. Most importantly, it sends a message to the remainder of the roster that this front office wants to win.
"They want to bring a winning culture here for the long haul," Jazz forward Derrick Favors said. "They see a guy like Rudy who wants to be here, and they went out and locked him up."
The Jazz currently have up to a little less than $15 million remaining under the salary cap for this season. And with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement reportedly little more than a formality, the cap next season is projected to come in at around $103 million.
Utah needs to pay Gordon Hayward, who can and likely will opt out his contract at the end of the season and become an unrestricted free agent. The Jazz know re-signing him will boost his cap number from $16 million to at least $25 million. The Jazz front office is prepared for that, are committed to keeping the small forward here for the long term and prepared to do whatever it takes to keep him.
That leaves Favors, and George Hill.
The 25-year-old Favors is eligible for a renegotiation and extension (R&E). His contract expires at the end of next season, and he would certainly command max dollars if he were to hit the free agent market.
There isn't a rush with Favors. Unlike Gobert, whose deadline for an extension was Halloween, the deadline for the power forward's R&E doesn't hit until March of 2017. Favors has been a very good player for the Jazz and has made his offseason home in Utah, and he's interested in negotiating, if that interest is mutual.
Hill has turned himself into a wild card. In the last season of his current $8 million per year deal, Hill was thought to be a one-year bridge until young point guard Dante Exum can get up to speed. But the veteran has played so well in the first two weeks that the Jazz may try and keep him.
With Hayward rehabbing a broken finger, Hill has been Utah's best player, averaging 21.4 points per game. That could affect Utah's future financial plans, should the front office want to bring him back. Hill is 30 years old, and is looking for a long-term deal. But league sources say he's not a player who wants to jump from team to team.
Players like Favors and Hill are a few reasons the Jazz wanted to get Gobert's situation resolved. Now that Gobert is on the books, the Jazz can look ahead and move forward, secure that the first big piece to retaining their core is in place.
"It was important for me, but important for the team also," Gobert said. "It allows up to take a step in getting things set up and organized so we can get a plan and know who we want to be."
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