Minnesota Timberwolves construct Stifle Tower in Twin Cities

He may be new in town, but Minnesota Timberwolves’ new All-Star NBA center Rudy Gobert is going to be very important to the twin cities. So much so that the Timberwolves front office approved sending four first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, and five rotational players to the Utah Jazz for him.

While some look at this trade at its raw components, there are two extenuating circumstances with this trade that is unlike other high-value trades that have occured in the NBA’s history. For openers, the Minnesota Timberwolves have just begun to compete in the NBA Playoffs.

All that means is that the value of the trade package for Rudy Gobert was between two successful NBA teams, not a lopsided trade that was motivated by a desire to create a salary dump scenario. That changes the trade dynamics that so many have compared to this exchange.

How much is he worth to you?

The market price for Rudy Gobert was quite steep, and the Utah Jazz was more than happy to sell to the highest bidder. But the question should not be what the Minnesota Timberwolves paid for Gobert, but what he is worth to the team. More on that in a moment:

The value of a player is how he will help your team. In the Timberwolves’ situation? Gobert is that valuable simply due to what he brings to his new team. He is the Stifle Tower.

Almost a custom-fit for this roster

For the Minnesota Timberwolves, that value is extremely high because Gobert brings something that the Timberwolves roster has been lacking for some time. Solid defense around the rim. And when I say solid, I mean arguably the best in the NBA.

For a team looking for a center to add defense, the Minnesota Timberwolves truly overshot the mark.  If you were asking for a sacrifice fly, the TImerwolves just hit a grand slam. Not only did the Timberwolves get the guy for the job, but the team also ended up with the player who sets the bar.