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Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif
For the second year running, the Timberwolves failed to reach the NBA Finals, this time beaten by the Thunder. So, one American journalist imagined a trade that would see Rudy Gobert pack his bags and head east.
Admittedly, they arrived this year with a less glamorous status than last season. Even so, their disappointment and that of their fans is understandable. The Timberwolves were hoping to do better than in 2024 and reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in their history. Unfortunately for them, the Thunder armada had other ideas in mind and prevented them from doing so.
Rudy Gobert leaving the Timberwolves?
Following this latest disappointment, everyone in Minnesota is looking for someone to blame. And while some have turned their attention to Anthony Edwards, who is considered to be under-performing, others have turned their attention to Rudy Gobert in the wake of the elimination. With a series that many consider insufficient, could the French pivot pay the price… and be transferred this summer? ClutchPoints’ Bailey Bassett has the answer:
Bailey Bassett: It would be a major surprise if the Wolves traded Gobert, especially knowing that they already dealt their other pivot, Karl-Anthony Towns, last off-season. However, it doesn’t seem completely unrealistic either. After all, Gobert is on the decline of his career. And while he remains a great defender, he’s not as dominant as he used to be in that area.
Taking into account these final unfavorable arguments for Gobert, the American journalist thus imagined the following trade:
- The Chicago Bulls receive: Rudy Gobert
- The Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, deux second-round picks
So, while the French international would be joining the Bulls to bolster their porous interior defense, the Wolves would be picking up another French-speaker, in the person of Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic has the advantage of having only one year remaining on his contract, but also of being able to contribute more offensively than Rudy. As for Lonzo Ball, he would be a great addition to the backcourt.
To justify this proposal, Bassett also raises another point, namely the upcoming arrival on the free agent market of Naz Reid :
Bailey Bassett: Moreover, the Wolves might have to make room for Reid to avoid losing him in free agency. Reid seems reluctant to retain a Sixth Man role, and this trade would free up a sport in the major five that he could inherit should he extend in Minnesota.
