Hoops Hype: 5 NBA execs feel ‘Timberwolves overpaid’ for Rudy Gobert
By Bret Stuter
The Minnesota Timberwolves set the market for Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert at a reasonably rich clip. Now, any NBA trade that will follow that exchange will have one eye towards the relative value that the Jazz acquired, and will use that to set the exchange prices for future trades, namely any projected trade for Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant.
During the NBA Summer League, NBA executives attend to scout the competition for potential roster additions, which also places enough in one location to make some fun and exciting perspectives on the latest sports headlines featuring professional basketball.
One such polling of the NBA pros involved Hoops Hype Michael Scotto approaching five NBA executives regarding the latest rumors about Nets Durant. In that discussion, the topic of the Minnesota Timberwolves came up:
"“After Utah received four first-round picks and a pick swap as part of the Rudy Gobert trade to Minnesota, Brooklyn is holding out for a king’s ransom for Durant. Five NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype at Vegas Summer League felt Minnesota overpaid for Gobert and increased the price tag for Durant in the process. – Per Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype"
But I’m not certain that I agree. In fact, I’m fairly certain that I do not. After all, the Timberwolves did not have a Plan B option. Their only realistic options were to pay the asking price or simply walk away. They opted to cut the check.
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The value of Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves is not what he did for the Utah Jazz, but rather what they believe he will do for the Timberwolves franchise. Here’s how: