Hoops Hype: 5 NBA execs feel ‘Timberwolves overpaid’ for Rudy Gobert

II – The perfect fit

If you had sat down after the Minnesota Timberwolves had just hired new team President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, and listed what the Timberwolves need in terms of position and skills, you would have ended with a description of Rudy Gobert.

The Timberwolves were in need of another big, a traditional NBA center whose role would be to protect the rim, block shots, free up Karl Anthony Towns to focus more on the offensive side of the basketball court, and give the team shot-blocking and rebounding boosts. I don’t think that I am going out on a limb to suggest that the Timberwolves made it a clean sweep in one trade.

Of course, there are many pieces to add to the roster to befit talk of competing for an NBA Championship, but Gobert appears to be a huge step in that direction.

Of course, the team might have tried to piecemeal rim defense, shot-blocking rebounding, and a host of other characteristics that Gobert has perfected in his NBA career, but that would end up meaning having a lesser NBA center on the floor in his place.

By adding Gobert, the team basically synchs up their roster for the next four seasons. Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert are locked in for the next four seasons, and the team is expected to extend wingman Anthony Edwards next year.