When Tim Connelly is your president of basketball operations, you know there’s a strong possibility that the offseason won’t be a quiet one. Never afraid to make a big trade, Connelly and the Minnesota Timberwolves may feel even more inclined to do so after the team advanced one less round than they did in the previous two years.Â
One of those deals made in the past was acquiring Rudy Gobert. That was done in the 2022 offseason, and while the trade can be mostly deemed a success, he is turning 34 years old later this month. The possibility of the Wolves moving on from Gobert this offseason is non-zero.
Dealing the four-time Defensive Player of the Year could benefit Anthony Edwards on one end while hurting him on the other.
Less clogged offense, less help on defensive mistakes without GobertÂ
It’s interesting how the opinion of a player can change over the course of a postseason. Gobert was the toast of the town after an excellent series against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, he wasn’t as impactful against the San Antonio Spurs and had a scoreless outing in Game 6, where they were eliminated.
While still an elite defender, the inconsistencies on the offensive end are why some think the Wolves may look to move on from him.
Named to his eighth All-Defensive first team this season, Gobert should still have value around the league. Naz Reid could be inserted into the starting lineup in his stead.
Losing Gobert could actually help make things easier for Ant-Man. Sure, Edwards will still have his regular diet of 3-point shots, but it’s harder to drive to the hole when Gobert is often camped down there. Playing more with Reid will free things up for Ant, who has shot much less frequently at the rim in the last two seasons.
Of course, the Timberwolves have built a defensive identity since Gobert joined the team. At times this year, Edwards was a bit lackadaisical as a defender. Having Gobert to fix those defensive lapses may have made him more comfortable in doing so. Ant would have to lock in more on defense if Gobert were to be dealt, or else the Wolves would be in danger of being a bottom-half defensive club.
Trading Gobert would free up more playing time for Joan Beringer (unless Minnesota acquires another frontcourt player), but he also would spend much of his time on offense down low.
It’s understandable that the team may be looking to make moves, knowing that, as currently constructed, they are behind both the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference pecking order. Trading Gobert comes with a list of pros but perhaps a lengthier list of cons.
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