
Player #2: Rudy Gobert
The Timberwolves clearly believe that the addition of center Rudy Gobert is enough to change the team’s outlook by so much as to make them potential contenders. Karl Anthony Towns has even gone so far as to claim that this season is “championship or bust” following the former Jazz big man’s arrival. While Gobert certainly adds much to this young team defensively, built up team expectations as well as a large investment to go get him will make this first season very important for Rudy.
The Timberwolves are sending Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and multiple first-round picks for Gobert, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022
The haul the Timberwolves sent Utah to receive Gobert was massive, considered by some to possibly even be too hefty. Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt were all valuable role players in Minnesota while recent first round pick Walker Kessler and a haul of first round picks represent a large portion of Minnesota’s young tradeable assets.
This was clearly not the type of trade a team makes to be a middle-tier team in the west. Expectations for Gobert and this team will and should be, as KAT stated, championship or bust.