In recent years, Rudy Gobert has become one of the more polarizing NBA figures. Both Draymond Green and Shaquille O’Neal seem to trash him at every opportunity they get. People also point out how much the Timberwolves had to give up to acquire him. It has almost become the cool thing to do to say negative things about Gobert.
While Anthony Edwards (deservedly) gets the most credit, the Wolves have reached heights they’ve never reached before since acquiring Gobert three years ago. Despite what they did in the 2025 NBA Draft, trading The Stifle Tower should be out of the question.
Rudy Gobert, the ultimate floor-raiser
Minnesota looks as if they are preparing for a post-Gobert era. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is now 12 years deep into his career and 33 years old. Gobert has three years remaining on his contract, with the third year being a player option worth $38 million for 2027-28.
On the Dane Moore NBA Podcast, Moore, along with his guest Chris Hine, talked about the value that Gobert still provides. Moore believes that the Timberwolves would have been a play-in team last season without his services. He also mentions how much less likely they would have been to reach the conference finals in 2024 without him. Hines referred to Gobert as the ultimate floor-raiser.
Today's show w/ @ChristopherHine
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) August 19, 2025
- Schedule release! + The Wolves having a lighter travel schedule than normal (5:00)
- How close to "all-in" are the Wolves for next season? (22:00)
- Do the Wolves have an "extended championship window" (35:00)
- How all-in do the Wolves view… pic.twitter.com/OdPjSryE0E
He may never win a Defensive Player of the Year award again, but he still made the All-Defensive second team last season. In his three years with Minnesota, the team has finished 10th, first, and sixth in defensive rating. In the two seasons prior to his arrival, the Wolves were 13th and 28th in defensive rating.
Draft picks likely not ready for huge roles
The Timberwolves turned some heads when they selected not one, but two big men in this June’s draft. Joan Beringer was taken 17th overall, and Rocco Zikarsky was picked 45th.
Keep in mind that Beringer will turn just 19 early into the season, and Zikarsky is currently 19. It’s unrealistic to expect either to play a huge role this season. Beringer has little experience even playing the sport, so him reaching his full potential will likely take time.
Gobert, the ultimate floor-raiser, shouldn’t be traded anytime soon. Naz Reid doesn’t possess his defensive chops. Beringer and Zikarsky were both drafted more for the future. Ignore the Draymonds and Shaqs of the world, because the Wolves need Gobert to be at their best.