Jazz Fans Keeping Close Eye on Timberwolves Outlook
It feels like ages ago, but we’re now over one year removed from the blockbuster exchange centered around three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz. Just like most trades, excitement runs high at the start.
Gobert appeared to have a new lease on life after a couple of drama-filled years in Salt Lake City alongside All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. Gobert expressed his enthusiasm, including his excitement at the prospect of playing with Karl-Anthony Towns, in his first press conference with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"I'm excited to be playing with some very talented young players,” Gobert said. “Obviously, KAT is a tremendous player and very unique, so I can't even imagine all the things that we're going to be able to do on the floor," he said. "I don't think there's going to be another team that's going to be able to bring to the table what we're going to bring to the table."
Things have really taken a turn for the worst for the ex-Jazzman.
There’s always time to flip the script, but where it stands today, it has the potential to go down as the worst trade in NBA history. Let’s revisit the key components of the exchange.
Timberwolves Received:
- Rudy Gobert
Jazz Received:
- Malik Beasley
- Patrick Beverley
- Leandro Bolmaro
- Walker Kessler (No. 22 pick in 2022 Draft)
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- 2023 first-round pick
- 2025 first-round pick
- 2026 pick swap
- 2027 first-round pick
- 2029 first-round pick
How bad can it get for the Timberwolves? Let’s take a peek at where these picks are trending.
Despite not meeting expectations in the 2022-23 season, the Timberwolves aren’t in bad shape moving forward. Former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards just recently signed a deal that runs through the last selection the Jazz will be able to use from the trade in 2029. Although Edwards isn’t considered a top-10 talent yet, he’s good enough with some help to keep the Timberwolves out of the cellar.
The Timberwolves signed 23-year-old Naz Reid this summer to a three-year deal that has a player option in 2026. Reid averaged 11.5 ppg while hauling in 4.9 rebounds per game last year and has plenty of room to grow. Also, rising star Jaden McDaniels is trending to re-sign this summer. McDaniels sticking with the Timberwolves would give them three young talents to build around.
As far as cap space, the Timberwolves have KAT's contract expiring next year and Gobert's in 2026. Other than Gobert’s deal, the Timberwolves don’t have a bad contract in the books.
The problem the Timberwolves are up against is not being able to improve through the draft. They do own their selection in 2024, but it most likely won’t be in the lottery, with a draft class for next year that's projected to be less than stellar.
The Timberwolves won’t be contending for a championship anytime soon, but they’re not in bad shape, either. Provided a clean bill of health, these selections have a good shot of staying out of the lottery.
However, it may be a moot point if Utah parlays some of these picks in trading for an All-Star talent down the road, which is very likely. But even if Utah trades the picks, it’s important where the Timberwolves are trending. The worst the outlook, the more ammo the Jazz can use in a future exchange.
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