5 Timberwolves who could fill KAT’s void at 2024 NBA Trade Deadline

II – Rudy Gobert

With his newfound three-point shot, the Minnesota Timberwolves rim-protecting center Rudy Gobert could be a very intriguing choice as a player who could expand his role to take on more offense as well as remain the team’s primary rim protector.  But, just how would that work?

One of the shortcomings that Rudy Gobert introduces to the Timberwolves on the offensive half of the basketball court is the simple fact that to optimize Gobert’s advantages, he is positioned with his back to the basket and remains locked there while one of his four other teammates is responsible for getting him the basketball.

Stifle Tower transforms into a French sharpshooter

That can take the form of driving to the basket, drawing defenders away from Gobert, and then dishing the ball to him for a quick dunk or layup. Or it can simply take the form of a lob pass, which Gobert can sink with his typical crowd-energizing authority. But in all cases, Gobert’s threat to the opposing team is much like a king on a chessboard. Not very mobile, and therefore somewhat ignorable.

But Rudy Gobert has a three-point shot now.  And while I am by no means advocating for the Timberwolves center to suddenly take up a position at the perimeter in an attempt to become a long-range marksman for the team, an occasional perimeter shot could be incredibly effective in both the surprise it would cause to opposing teams, as well as the strategy it would force opponents to consider to stop that option.