The Timberwolves’ acquisition of Rudy Gobert could eventually go down as the most lopsided trade in NBA history with the Jazz as the beneficiary, Andy Larsen of Salt Lake Tribune opines.
Jazz rookie center Walker Kessler has played as well or better than Gobert has this season, in Larsen’s view. Utah also received Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley, who could potentially be flipped for first-round picks, plus the Timberwolves’ first-rounder this year as well as first-rounders in 2025, 2027 and 2029 and a pick swap in 2026.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Michael Malone did not coach the Nuggets’ game against Portland on Tuesday because he entered the league’s health and safety protocols, Mike Singer of the Denver Post tweets. Assistant David Adelman filled in for Malone.
- Michael Porter Jr. is feeling healthier and it’s reflected in his increasing dunk total, Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com notes. Porter had 13 dunks this season entering Tuesday’s contest with four coming in the last three games. Porter was sidelined for 13 games last month with a heel injury. “I think my foot’s getting better and I just think my nerve is healing from my back surgery and stuff like that,” Porter said. “I feel like I’m getting my legs back under me a little bit. I don’t feel like I’m anywhere near where I will be toward the end of the season, but I feel like I’m in a good place overall.”
- The Timberwolves used their mid-level exception last summer to sign forward Kyle Anderson to a two-year deal. He’s proving to be a very valuable addition, Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes. Anderson, who is averaging a career-best 3.9 assists, had a triple-double in Monday’s loss to the Jazz. “He’s just such a solid basketball player that when he’s out there, he’s always keeping things steady,” guard Austin Rivers said.
Step 1. Trade away all Timberwolves assets
Step 2. Sink the franchise to an all time low
Step 3. Move to Seattle
Injuries hurt the Wolves all season. This is and will be a very good team. Pay ANT, find a true point guard & Power Forward after getting rid of DLO & KAT this team is young! People Forget!
They won’t be a good team if they get rid of KAT, not will be all that young with 30 year old Gobert at center
They’ll be a more balanced and athletic team. KAT seems a bit too moody or at least not as willing to do the dirty work. They really miss Vanderbilt for that reason. Same goes for Beverly. Although, I do like some of their remaining guys. They just need more consistency and confidence.
KAT would bring a huge haul. Easily should get a starter back and probably a young rotation player plus like all of a teams picks.
Big UP to the New hof ownership group and GM.
Connelly needs to find a Jokic in the later rounds. Danny Anige may have a Jazz Celtics final in a few years. It would be funny if the they got both pick 1 and 2 in this lottery.
How is Connelly gonna find a Jokic in the later rounds?? Sounds like he is exploring any remaining draft picks they have left on an aging veteran for the locker room.
Utah could find a Jokic with all the picks they now have. They surely will have plenty of opportunities to take some chances.
The trade is lopsided, but not accurate to say Kessler is out playing Gobert. The numbers don’t show this and neither does watching the games.
Still a terrible trade, but let’s not go overboard!
I would still rate the Celtics/Nets trade as worse
Gobert for the season, 13.3/11.9 68% shooting, 3rd in rpg/10th in the league in def rtg
Kessler 7.5/7.2 56% shooting, 39th in rpg/not top 25 in def rtg
Kessler is not even close to “playing as well or better”
The so-far lopsidedness of the trade recalls another such deal involving a Minnesota franchise, back when the Vikings traded half the world for Herschel Walker…
Guess they like to make big splashes up there. Hard to blame them. Their team finally reached the playoffs and they felt they had extra assets to help keep that going. Still could pay off. Just need the coach to better utilize Gobert.
Danny Ainge is really good at his job. Think about it. His reputation is that he almost always wins trades and wins by a lot. He gets GM fired and Minnesota still gave him everything he wanted.
Now I hear he is looking for unprotected 1sts for Beasley and Vanderbilt. How much you want to bet he gets it? Just saying Trader Danny is a force.
Celtics are 85% Danny Ainge. He got both Philly and the Lakers to not take Tatum and got Grant Williams for the privilege of drafting Markel Fultz.
LOL the guy is good at his job.
Ainge could have Sexton. If Kyrie wasn’t a liar.
Where did you hear the beasley, Vanderbilt scuttlebutt from? I mean who told you ? You heard it from who exactly.
NBA is OK2, I think they’re referring to lately. He didn’t start until the second half of the season so far.
They’re also referring to his 20 points, 21 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in the Jazz’s 126-125 victory. He’s the first rookie in franchise history to see 20/20 and the first in the league since Gorgui Dieng in 2014.
“Looks like Utah has found its Rudy Gobert replacement, saving millions and getting nine years younger, with those other players and picks in the Wolves trade as gravy.” NBA official website.
Kessler alone is making people question the trade. Obviously, Gobert is years ahead in the nuances of the game, like avoiding fouls, setting the best screens, and consistency in every category. Kessler is just showing a lot as a rookie. Hard to argue he is a gem so far.
Yet another in an endless series of drafts and trades dating back to the 1989 inception of the cursed Timberpuppies.