The Timberwolves will send Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro and a package of first-round picks to the Jazz, according to Wojnarowski. The move signals the Jazz’s desire to move on from the Gobert-Donovan Mitchell pairing that had become strained since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The locker room tension between the two Jazz All-Stars has been well documented since March 2020, and the second half of the 2021-22 season has done nothing but fan the flames. The Jazz bowed out of the playoffs in the first round for the third time in four seasons, a disappointing end to a roster built to win now. On Thursday, before free agency opened, the Jazz also dealt Royce O’Neale to the Brooklyn Nets and could be looking for additional trades. According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, the Jazz have no plans to trade Mitchell. The 2023 NBA All-Star Game is in Salt Lake City, and the Jazz are committed to building around the young star. Rudy Gobert is reportedly going to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster deal. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
How does Rudy Gobert fit in with the Timberwolves?
Gobert will now be paired with Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. Both are under long-term contracts after Towns agreed to a supermax extension Thursday. Gobert has four seasons on his supermax deal. The pair of big men could be productive for the upstart Timberwolves. Gobert, a three-time All-Star, is averaging 12.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game for his career. Towns, a three-time All-Star, is averaging 23.2 points, 11.3 rebounds in 34.2 career minutes. Gobert led the league last season in rebounding with 14.7 per game. Newly hired Timberwolves executive Tim Connelly was the general manager of the Denver Nuggets in 2013 when the team traded first-round pick Gobert at No. 27 to Utah.
Anthony Edwards not a fan of Rudy Gobert?
One of the more interesting side plots in the reported trade is third-year shooting guard Anthony Edwards’ apparent lack of respect for Gobert’s role. The story continues In December 2021, Edwards told Gobert to “put no fear in my heart” after one of three games against the Jazz that month. The Jazz won all three. Edwards had 18 points in the first game and 26 in the third, but sat out the second due to health and safety protocols.
How does the Rudy Gobert trade change the market for Kevin Durant?
Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday before free agency opened. The return package for a Durant deal is expected to be huge, and Gobert’s return signaled how much teams could offer for Durant. According to reports, Durant’s preferred destinations are the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns. Both teams may need a third team to facilitate the kind of trade for Durant. NBA Free Agency: Follow Yahoo Sports live updates on all signings, contract extensions, trades and more.
