This offseason, if you polled Minnesota Timberwolves fans, they would be heavily in favor of trading Julius Randle. Give that same poll to the fans about Rudy Gobert, and the vote will be closer to being split.
A zero-point outing in a Game 6 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, which eliminated the Wolves, likely caused more of the fanbase to want the 7-foot-1 center gone. The lineup combination with Gobert and Naz Reid proved to be mutually beneficial, which gives the Wolves a clear reason to keep The Stifle Tower.
Gobert/Reid lineups have cooked minus RandleÂ
Now, Gobert is still an elite defender, as evidenced by being named first team All-Defense for the eighth time in his career this season. He has been the main catalyst in the Wolves' building their identity as a top defensive team in recent years. Yes, he will turn 34 years old later this month, but the four-time Defensive Player of the Year isn't showing signs of slowing down.
On X, Jake Paynting of Howls and Growls provided numbers of how the lineup has performed over the last two seasons when four of the five normal starters (minus Randle) are on the court with Naz. The numbers bear that the Timberwolves should utilize the lineup more in the future.
This season, with Reid playing alongside Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Donte DiVincenzo, the team had a plus-15.9 net rating (126.5 offensive, 110.6 defensive). In 2024-25, that same lineup, just with Mike Conley replacing DiVincenzo, possessed a whopping +22.1 net rating (126.4 offensive, 104.3 defensive).
It’s not a ton of possessions either year, but it’s understandable why it works. Surrounding Gobert with shooters helps the offense and allows him to focus on cleaning the offensive glass. Throughout his career, Reid has been a much more reliable outside shooter than Randle.
We don’t know how the offseason will go yet. DiVincenzo won’t be starting because of a torn Achilles, which will keep him sidelined for at least the majority of the 2026-27 season. Conley, a free agent, might be back, but his days as a full-time starter are over. Taking their place in the starting lineup could be Ayo Dosunmu (also a free agent) or someone acquired in a trade.
I’m not saying Gobert should be completely off-limits in trade talks. It is just good to know that the Wolves have excelled when Reid takes the place of Randle with the starters.
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