Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gobert may want to focus more on France's gold medal bid at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and that is why his side's negotiation with the team for an extension deal was paused. 

Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com broke the news through Twitter earlier this week. 

After France clinched a berth at this year's Olympics by defeating Canada in the final game of the Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Gobert quickly announced that he will play for Les Bleus in August. 

Gobert did not participate in the qualifying tournament in Manila but it seems like he received the green light from the Jazz to play in Brazil.

In a report by The Salt Lake Tribune, Gobert said, "The only concern for the Jazz, they want to make sure I don't hurt and that I take care of myself and take care of my body.

"The Zika virus isn't that big of a concern to me. I just can't stop playing basketball because there's the risk of being hurt. I just think this is a great opportunity and I want to take advantage of it," he added. 

Gobert also expressed confidence in his national squad and said he is not heading to Rio de Janeiro to lose. 

Perhaps following the Olympics, the Jazz and Gobert will resume contract talks for an extension deal. 

Gobert is an important player for the young Jazz who last season almost made it to the playoffs. They were competing for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference but finished ninth with a 40-42 record. 

Utah is unlikely letting go of Gobert, who is a budding center in the league and already proved his defensive prowess. In three seasons for the Jazz, the 24-year-old has career averages of 7.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.9 blocks.