The Rudy Gobert trade was (and still somewhat is) criticized for the number of picks the Minnesota Timberwolves gave up. However, when looking at the value of these picks, that shouldn't be the case. Recently, Sam Quinn of CBS Sports ranked the value of all 63 future first-round picks that have been traded. Notably, none of the remaining picks Minnesota traded for Gobert cracked the top 30.
Here's how Quinn ranked these picks: Minnesota's 2026 pick swap with the Utah Jazz came in at 62, their 2027 unprotected first-round pick slotted in at 47, and their 2029 protected top 5 first-rounder pick was 35th.
These rankings are logical. For starters, the Wolves will be much better than the Jazz and thus keeping their original pick likely somewhere in the 20s. While the Wolves will forfeit their 2027 first-rounder to the Jazz, that pick will likely fall within the 20s as well. The Wolves' 2029 first-rounder could have some value, but assuming Anthony Edwards is still on the roster, this pick won't have a ton of value. Considering the value of these picks, it's hard to criticize the Gobert trade from Minnesota's perspective, and it's clear they won the deal.
What we already know the Jazz got back from the Gobert trade
It's worth noting that two picks from the Gobert trade have already conveyed, with the Jazz drafting Keyonte George in 2023 and Walter Clayton Jr. in 2025. Entering his rookie season off a magical March Madness run, Clayton is an intriguing rookie who projects to provide some needed perimeter scoring. Similarly, George has established himself as a gifted perimeter scorer in his two-year career.
Perhaps the best player Utah got from this trade was Walker Kessler, who was traded shortly after being drafted by Minnesota. However, it's unclear if any of these three players are core parts of Utah's future.
The Wolves are in a much better spot than the Jazz
When looking at how the two franchises have fared in the three seasons after the Gobert trade, it's a stark contrast. The Wolves have made two consecutive Western Conference finals appearances with Gobert being a key part of their success. In the 2023-24 season, Gobert won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award while anchoring the league's best defense.
Of course, the Jazz were never going to have much success directly after trading Gobert. However, Utah is entering the fourth year of its rebuild without much to show for it. They still lack a franchise star and don't even have many clear building blocks. While it's easy to criticize a team for giving up picks, the value of those picks ends up being what's truly important.
Despite having fewer first-round picks, the Wolves have a much brighter future than the Jazz. Ultimately, considering Minnesota's success with Gobert, what the two picks have become, and the value of the remaining picks, it's not far-fetched to say the Wolves clearly won this trade.