Although the Timberwolves were encouraged by last season’s success, there was an “overwhelming feeling internally” that the team would hit a wall before becoming a legitimate title contender if it didn’t make at least one more major upgrade, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
That line of thought was the motivation behind the team’s blockbuster trade agreement for three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. As Krawczynski explains, the front office had a hard time identifying another player around the NBA who could address so many of the club’s weaknesses and would be available for the package Minnesota was willing to offer.
The Timberwolves anticipate Gobert will make life easier for his new teammates, allowing them to take more gambles on defense and giving D’Angelo Russell a pick-and-roll partner who sets good screens and can be a lob threat.
The Wolves also believe they can make Gobert’s life easier — Minnesota has stronger perimeter defenders (Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince) than Utah did, and Karl-Anthony Towns‘ ability to make outside shots will complement Gobert’s inside game, Krawczynski notes.
Here’s more on the Wolves and their roster shake-up:
- Sources tell Krawczynski that Gobert has expressed excitement about playing with the Timberwolves and that Towns was especially supportive of the move.
- According to Krawczynski, Wolves sources were pessimistic throughout the process that an agreement would actually be reached, and a deal looked to be “in peril” as of Friday morning. Minnesota was prepared to shift its focus to other targets like Myles Turner or Clint Capela before the Gobert talks gained traction again later on Friday when Utah agreed to do a deal without McDaniels included.
- Before striking a deal for Gobert, the Wolves made “several calls” to the Nets about Kevin Durant, sources tell Krawczynski. However, Minnesota was unwilling to give up Edwards or Towns for Durant, so those talks didn’t go far.
- The Timberwolves were also in the mix for Dejounte Murray and could have outbid the Hawks for him, but the fact that they didn’t shows that they valued Gobert more, observes Krawczynski.
- Chris Hine of The Star Tribune takes a closer look at the impact the acquisition of Gobert will have on the Wolves both offensively and defensively, as well as from a salary cap perspective.
People can quibble with Gobert’s postseason success to date, but almost every stat will tell you he’s the most impactful defensive player of this generation, and that it’s not particularly close.
In addition – as opposed to say Dikembe – Gobert is a low usage high efficiency player on offense whose dives to the rim actually need to be game-planned for.
Having said that, my quibble from Minnesota’s standpoint, is you gave up a ton of future assets to pair a 30 year old center with your 20 year old franchise wing.
I think this would have been a homerun if Edwards was where Trae or Luka are right now – but this move assumes he’ll be able to make a giant leap in his age 21 or 22 seasons; otherwise it’s hard to see how this roster is really contending.
And if Edwards doesn’t reach that All-NBA level until he’s 23-24, then you’re already at the end of Gobert’s timeline (and contract).
T-Wolves have the balls to go all in for a championship now. They should be in the top 4 teams in the west unless some injuries happen. What they did do is traded their future to win now. They still lack a good defensive PG. Inside they should dominate but can they defend the 3 pt line in some match ups?
I actually liked a lot of ehat they did before the Gobert trade, but they also didnt give up much in reality. They lost guard defense with Patrick Beverley, who played really well for them last year, Beasley was redundant on the roster, Vanderbilt is a good defensive 4, but they have Taurean Prince, Jaden McDaniels, and now Kyle Anderson. They drafted Wendell Moore. Now that they grabbed Forbes, all they really need is either a guard that can defend and shoot to replace Beverley, or 1 last wing shooter, or both, and they’re super dangerous/at least 1 of the teams fighting in that misdeed range
Personally not a fan of the 2 big lineup, and there are a lot of reasons why you could argue their best rotations probably would have them separated, but I think they can figure out the spacing/defense otherwise for it to be doable in the regular season
Caleb Martin, TJ Warren, Dennis Schroder. Either or those three would definitely complete this team.
Schroder isnt a defender or shooter and is a ball stopper, Warren is another 4 who is a scorer, and Caleb does a lot of what Wendell Moore does, although his shooting is more on the upswing. Not sure what Minnesota’s cap situation is right now b/c he should get a nice deal…
Also as a Heat fan, I’m still holding out hope they retain him
I don’t believe the combination of Gobert and Towns will work, both are the same position player.
It works except these 2 teams
They can’t guard
Curry Klay Poole Donte Wiggins
Kawhi George Jackson Morris Kennard
today’s NBA is more position less. If you look at the way KAT plays he plays way more outside average closes to 5 3pt attempts and the previous year close to 7, and he shoots about 40 percent from there. So the fit makes sense offensively defensively not so.
Disagree. I think KAT is much better suited at the 4 with how he plays. This move allows them the luxury of that.
Gobert and KAT reminds me of when Philly tried to make Embiid and Horford work together. I don’t see this working out well
Embiid isn’t nearly the stretch the floor player KAT is. I’d agree with you if Towns did the burden of his work near the basket but he doesn’t.
Historically twin towers tend to work pretty well, ya know!
Wolves always played two bigs. Many teams do. Now the bigs are bigger, good for them.
Hate the fit, + overpaid return for a no market … I like Rudy as a french but Connelly is a j.ck.ss 9M$ moron to do this trade with all the other options to play with 2 bigs… Last 2 picks go after Rudy’s contract so maybe Nets will use Jazz as trade partners for dumb&dumber
I saw this as a good trade. For the parts involved. TWolves maybe a little too much.
But why would you think KAT and Rudy can play together. This is not a Twin Towers era. KAT can not cover perimeter like Mobley. Even in Clev that will not go on much longer. Cause Mobley is a true Center. So
Why do this trade. I mean if you move KAT then it makes sense. Moving KAT you build the team around Edwards and Rudy. Plus you will get a kings ransom for KAT. To me playing both bigs will not work.
It’ll work. T-wolves have good pieces to supplement Gobert. I’m just glad someone took that terrible contract of UJ’s books tbh :)
If Mobley can “cover perimeter”, why do you insist on calling him a “true center”.
The world moved on without you AL.
This could actually work and much of that depends on KAT and Gobert willingness. Both are more mature players at this stage and KAT has tasted the playoffs. I agree with those who said the 4 suits KATs game. I would be a bit nervous if this was my home team, but I am excited to see how this plays out! Kyle Anderson is a nice little pickup but definitely are going to need a pest pesky defender to replace a certain someone.