There's a strong chance that Rudy Gobert gets traded this summer. To plenty of observers (including myself), this is the right call for the Minnesota Timberwolves, assuming they can yield a quality return. Gobert's offensive limitations make him a poor matchup for the best two teams in the West, and the Wolves would benefit from getting a bit younger.
However, there's no arguing that trading for Gobert back in 2022 was a resounding success. Yes, the package of four first-round picks, a pick swap, and a recently drafted Walker Kessler is a haul for Gobert, but he helped spark a highly successful era of Wolves basketball.
The Wolves have made two conference finals in the past three years. Not only does this mark two of the franchise's three conference finals appearances, but the past three years make up all but one of the Wolves' playoff series wins. By all accounts, this has been the most successful run in franchise history, and it wouldn't be possible without Gobert.
Do the Wolves need to reshuffle the deck around Anthony Edwards? Absolutely. But make no mistake, the Wolves wouldn't be near title contention without Gobert, and the trade was a masterstroke.
Trading for Rudy Gobert was an undeniable success
Since he arrived in 2022, Gobert has transformed the Timberwolves' defense into a top-10 ranking in four straight seasons, including the top-ranked defense in 2023-24. This stellar season, of course, resulted in Gobert winning his fourth DPOY, and the Wolves' dominant defense helped spark their first conference finals appearance in 20 years.
The Wolves wouldn't have anywhere close to the same amount of success without Gobert anchoring the paint.
Gobert's offensive struggles hurt the Wolves against the San Antonio Spurs this year and the Oklahoma City Thunder last year. Regardless, the Wolves wouldn't have gotten to the conference finals last year or the second-round this year without him.
Let's not forget that he had one of the best defensive series of all-time this year against Nikola Jokic in the first-round.
The goal of trading for Rudy was to accelerate the timeline around Ant and give him some experience in high-leverage situations. Mission accomplished.
Likewise, Gobert undoubtedly helped Edwards and the rest of the group up and learn winning habits.
Trading Gobert might be essential for the Wolves to reach the next level of title contention and/or build a more sustainable contender around Ant. But without the initial trade, there's no telling where the Wolves would be -- it's fair to assume they would be in a much worse spot.
Even if he's traded this summer, Gobert has done enough in his four seasons with the team to have his number retired. Without a doubt, he's one of the more important players in franchise history, and trading for him was an amazing move.
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