Could Mavs' Mystery Trade Target Be Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert?

Despite drafting their hopeful center of the future in Dereck Lively II, the Dallas Mavericks are still on the hunt for a veteran starting center for the 2023-24 season. Could Rudy Gobert be their guy?

The Dallas Mavericks kicked off the offseason by addressing some of their biggest needs in the NBA Draft. Needing more rebounding, rim protection and overall defense, Dallas acquired Dereck Lively II and OMax Prosper with the No. 12 and No. 24 picks respectively. However, despite Lively's potential – he's been pegged by many as being a young Tyson Chandler – he might not be quite ready to be the Mavs' full-time starting center from day one.

The Mavs have been on the hunt for a veteran starting center all summer, as they've had trade discussions with the Atlanta Hawks about Clint Capela and the Phoenix Suns regarding Deandre Ayton. Dallas was also expected to sign Andre Drummond in free agency had he opted out of his $3 million player option with the Chicago Bulls, but he decided to opt in on Thursday, so that option might not be on the table anymore.

Here's what NBA insider Marc Stein had the say about the Mavs' reported interest in Drummond on Thursday: "League sources say Dallas' interest in Andre Drummond would be dependent on a trade that has not yet come to fruition."

If the Mavs want to add a veteran center that would immediately improve their overall defense, rebounding and rim protection, why not make a salary-dump offer to the Minnesota Timberwolves for three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert? Could that be the trade that "has not yet come to fruition?"

Now look, we get it. Gobert's contract, which has three years remaining worth a total of $130 million, is atrocious, given his limitations on the offensive end. But on the flip side of that, if the Mavs were only to give up, say, Tim Hardaway Jr., Richaun Holmes and JaVale McGee for Gobert, Dallas might seriously have to consider doing that deal.

Despite his offensive limitations, Gobert would be an excellent screen-setter for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. In 70 games for Minnesota last season, Gobert averaged 13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 65.9 percent from the field. Yes, he is overpaid, but his skillset would be better valued with the Mavs than it is with the Timberwolves.

One thing to consider here is the price the Timberwolves had to pay to get Gobert last summer. They traded four first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and the draft rights to Walker Kessler in order to pry Gobert from the Utah Jazz. It would take a large serving of humble pie for the Timberwolves to admit how bad of a mistake that was just one year later and to then trade Gobert to Dallas in a salary-dump deal.

But this is the NBA, and we've certainly seen crazier things happen. Stay tuned to DallasBasketball.com throughout the day as trade and free agency rumors continue to swirl.

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