Fastbreak

Rudy Gobert Sends Heartfelt Message To Karl-Anthony Towns After Timberwolves Trade

Rudy Gobert made a post to Instagram after Karl-Anthony Towns was traded.

Ben Stinar

Nov 12, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) smiles between plays against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Nov 12, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) smiles between plays against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images / Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns have been among the best big-men duos the NBA has seen in recent years.

They are coming off a season where they helped lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals.

However, The Athletic shockingly reported (on Friday) that Towns is headed to the New York Knicks as part of a blockbuster trade.

Via Shams Charania of The Athletic: "🚨🚨BREAKING: Knicks have acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick via Detroit, sources say."

Following the trade, Gobert made a heartfelt post to his Instagram story for Towns.

Gobert wrote: "Keep writing your unique story my brother !

Grateful that i got to be a part of it!"

Rudy Gobert's IG Story
Rudy Gobert's IG Story / September 28

Last season, the Timberwolves were the third seed in the Western Conference with a 56-26 record.

They swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA playoffs (and beat the Denver Nuggets in seven games) before losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.

According to StatMuse, the Timberwolves went 64-43 in 107 games with Towns and Gobert on the floor.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Feb 15, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32), left, and center Rudy Gobert (27) stand during the singing of the national anthem before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Towns had spent his entire nine-year career with Minnesota.

He finished last season with averages of 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest while shooting 50.4% from the field and 41.6% from the three-point range in 62 games.

As for Gobert, he is going into his third season with the Timberwolves (he spent the first nine years of his career with the Utah Jazz).

The 2024 Defensive Player of The Year ended last season with averages of 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.1 blocks per contest while shooting 66.1% from the field in 76 games.

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Ben Stinar
BEN STINAR

Ben Stinar is the NBA reporter for Fastbreak on FanNation.