Rudy Gobert’s time in Salt Lake City is over. The Utah Jazz traded Gobert on Friday to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a deal that includes a ton of players and draft picks.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Minnesota is sending Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Leandro Bolmaro, Jarred Vanderbilt, and multiple first-round picks to Utah for the All-Star center.
The Timberwolves are sending Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and multiple first-round picks for Gobert, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022
The Jazz are landing four Minnesota first-round picks and 2022 first-round pick Walker Kessler in the deal for Rudy Gobert, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022
Gobert is a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and is considered one of the best defenders in the league. Pairing him with Karl-Anthony Towns creates one of the most unique frontcourts in the NBA. Whether or not it will work remains to be seen.
The Jazz, meanwhile, are clearly cashing out on their most recent run and starting fresh. Quin Snyder is out, Gobert has been traded, Royce O’Neale was traded, and Donovan Mitchell is almost certainly next. The massive influx of draft picks and young players will almost certainly mean the franchise is in full rebuild mode (or setting themselves up to be part of a Kevin Durant deal).
We’re still not entirely sure what Brian Windhorst was trying to tell us about the Jazz earlier on Friday, but it appears he was onto something.
In the meantime, the NBA world certainly offered some interesting reactions to the trade and what it might mean for both teams, not to mention Brian Windhurst.
The Timberwolves just gave up a Kevin Durant package for Rudy Gobert.
— . (@WBallCentral) July 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/dieter/status/1542960006592507904
Windhorst is having an all time day. Clip goes viral and it’s proven right all within hours? Mercy that’s good https://t.co/toFYeAAZvt
— Jonathan Peterlin (@JPeterlin) July 1, 2022
Donovan Mitchell next? https://t.co/DgnPbHpvLp
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) July 1, 2022
My man @WindhorstESPN’s Rust Cohle routine this morning was on to something. https://t.co/NA0KFMIciw
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) July 1, 2022
Windhorst knew Utah was up to something and this was it. https://t.co/IfHrzqEczw pic.twitter.com/hiAOaD3fZD
— The Sickos CBB Committee (@SickosCBB) July 1, 2022
[Woj]
