Is this a precursor to what we will see Kevin Durant be traded for? Probably, because Rudy Gobert was just traded from the Utah Jazz to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverely, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, and FOUR 1st-round picks.
This trade is a win-win for both teams, in my opinion. Due to yet another early playoff exit, the Utah Jazz had to revamp this roster. The “Big 3” of Rudy Gobert, Donavan Mitchell, and Mike Conley Jr. failed. The team needed more balance, and they got just that with this trade. Beverely, Beasley, and Vanderbilt are great rotation players, who should slot into that Jazz lineup nicely.
Plus, they now have A LOT of draft capital. These four 1st-round picks make it easy for Utah to leverage them in either moving up into the lottery spots, or to trade them for a superstar. The second option seems the more likely of the two. Perhaps, they can convince Kyrie Irving to come to Utah or even Damien Lillard (though that option is probably not very likely).
If not a guard, then Utah may be interested in, I don’t know, maybe….KEVIN DURANT. They now have the picks and the capital to make a move for him. They’ll just need to get his monstrous $47M cap hit under their cap. But, if I were the Jazz, I’d wait a while and see if you can get a better deal for a younger star.
As for the Timberwolves, they are now one of Golden State’s main rivals for the Western Conference title. The Timberwolves have just massively upgraded their interior defense by acquiring the 3X Defensive Player of the Year (2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21) winner. Now, teams don’t only have to worry about getting past All-NBA and All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns to the rim, but also the best interior defender in the whole NBA.
Yeah, the Timberwolves will be shut down on defense next season.
Moreover, this move will free up KAT from having to hold the rim-defense responsibilities as Gobert will become the presumed starting center. Instead, KAT can showcase his offensive prowess in a forward role, leaving the majority of his defensive tasks to Rudy Gobert.
Also, this move frees up Anthony Edwards a lot from the arc. He can now practically shoot at will as opposing defenses will be too worried and preoccupied with Gobert and KAT’s presence around the rim. The only issue I see with this move is that the depth on the Timberwolves has been completely stripped away. They better hope none of their starters get injured, or next year could go up in flames.
Nevertheless, the Minnesota Timberwolves have just become one of the favorites to emerge from the West as a new “Big 3” has been created, while the Utah Jazz gain much needed draft capital and an even more necessary roster shakeup.
This NBA offseason has been crazy, and it’s only getting started!
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