NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Two seasons ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves surrendered what was thought to be their future to land the defensive-minded Rudy Gobert away from the Utah Jazz. If you listen closely, maybe you can still hear some of the laughter from the Jazz organization, their fans, and NBA analysts. But you have to listen with the ears of Superman.
Let’s be honest, who’s laughing now? All Gobert has done is continue what he’s done while with the Jazz. Since arriving in Minnesota, Gobert has averaged 13.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 1.8 Blocks per game. Oh wait, I forgot to mention that he has won another Defensive Player of the Year Award since that trade.
If you want to see more, his Minnesota Timberwolves were 1 of the last 2 teams standing in the Western Conference biding for a chance to play in the NBA Finals. And yet, the Wolves were the laughingstock of the NBA when that trade went down. Charles Barkley, never one to hold back had this to say after the trade news.
The Timberwolves made the worst trade in NBA history… That was so stupid that trade
Rudy Gobert has never been known as an offensive threat. That’s not what he does. But what he does do is give his team a chance on the other end of the floor. Truth be told, he could average 5-6 Blocks per game but players either pass or lose control as they head to the rim when he’s protecting it.
As for the Jazz, well, since that trade, they haven’t touched the playoffs and have won only 68 games since the departure of Gobert. Are you still laughing? Ask Nikola Jokic how he feels about the trade 2 years later.
I think they’re built really well,” Jokic said when asked about Minnesota’s first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns. “Hopefully we are not going to get swept. I think Tim Connelly, when he made that trade, everybody was laughing at him and what he was doing. But he made a great team. And I think he deserves great credit for doing that.
Rudy Gobert was viewed as the problem child. What happened with COVID and the infamous microphone was a black eye on his resume but has he not made up for that? Hell, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers should give him a “Thank You” Championship Ring just because.
Let’s look at the trade.
• Malik Beasley
• Patrick Beverley
• Leandro Bolmaro
• Walker Kessler (No. 22 pick in 2022 Draft)
• Jarred Vanderbilt
• 2023 first-round pick
• 2025 first-round pick
• 2026 pick swap
• 2027 first-round pick
• 2029 first-round pick
That’s still one heck of a haul. Two years later, the Wolves are winning this trade. With future picks still to come, it’s now up to the front office of the Jazz to prove everyone wrong. They must select the right players and with their current trajectory, it’s hard to imagine them coming out as winners.
No More Laughing At Rudy Gobert
Normally, there are instant reactions to trades. Who won what and how will it all pan out? See, that was the problem with this trade. Everyone looked at the players and draft capital that was coming to the Jazz and never thought about how Rudy Gobert would help change the basketball culture for the Wolves. In all fairness, a trade should be evaluated 2-3 years later just to let everything unfold.
When it happened, at least on paper, it appeared the Jazz committed highway robbery. Nope, years later, it was the Minnesota Timberwolves who committed the crime and got away with it.
Despite all the trade rumors involving KAT, why would the Wolves’ front office break up their Big 3? This is what the league wants. Rudy Gobert will be 32 this year and still has plenty left in the tank. If the Wolves ever find a way to incorporate Gobert into the offense and get a quality starting Point Guard, look out.
The Jazz are still searching for an identity. They are not void of talent but on the other hand, the Timberwolves would not be where they are if not for that infamous trade that everyone outside of Minnesota thought was one-sided,
