After an exciting playoff journey, what the Timberwolves have to do in the summer is simple: to make a small repair to the existing foundation and give this emerging team the capital to take it to the next level.
Therefore, after renewing the contracts of Carl-Anthony Downs, Torrian Prince, and reinforcing Kyle Anderson, most fans believe that the Timberwolves' "summer vacation assignment" has been declared complete.
Unexpectedly, on the second day of the opening of the market, they immediately engaged in a big wave.
That's right, it's the hot Rudy Gobert deal.
According to current news, the Timberwolves sent Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverly, Jared Vanderbilt, Leandro Bormaro, rookie Walker Kessler with four first-round picks, from the Utah Jazz to "French giant" Rudy Gobert.
Such a large package is for Rudy Gobert, which can be said to be very sincere, and even "too" has sincerity, because there are 3 "unprotected" draft picks sent. Unless you can maintain your health and record all these years, it is undoubtedly a big gamble.
Interestingly, if the risk of draft picks is ignored for the time being, the deal solves many of the squad and future salary problems at once, making it clearer who the team will cultivate next, such as Jaylen Noel and Jaden McDaniels, two potential stocks, and the flanks will not hoard too much talent.
Optimistically, there are still many benefits, but the number of people involved in this package is too large, comparable to the scale of the 2017 Chris Paul rocket transaction, which will have such a shocking feeling.
In addition, both times Patrick Beverley was inside the package toiled. Thinking about the early renewal in February, this is probably the most emotionally hurtful part.
Of course, there are many assumptions to be true if the deal is to be "cost-effective" in the future, including kat being able to match Rudy Gobert in the fourth position, d'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards facing various defenders and handing over a passing defense... Wait, the lineup is indeed more gorgeous, but the re-establishment of the system will take time.
After all, the Timberwolves have not had such an influential interior defender as Rudy Gobert all these years. The excellent team defense built last season, started by Patrick Beverley from the back and Vanderbilt in all directions, belongs to a completely different thinking, and the new season must test the skills of head coach Chris Finch.
The trade with Rudy Gobert is enough to show how much the team attaches to the problem of interior defense and rebounding. There have also been rumors of the possibility of exchanging Pacers Miles Turner and Eagles Clint Capela, and considering the foul troubles of the RECENT KAT play-offs and playoffs, everything is not a temporary uprising.
What makes fans anxious is Rudy Gobert's age and contract. Now that he is 30 years old and the contract is still very large, if you add the contract extension that KAT has just negotiated, the team is equivalent to spending most of the salary space on the center "they" and moving against the trend of the times.
However, what KAT has been missing over the years can be found in Rudy Gobert; And the offense that Rudy Gobert expects also has a chance to be achieved in the Timberwolves, and perhaps we can look at the next development more optimistically.
The Jazz have been playoff regulars in recent years, but the reason for their inability to break through is largely due to the team's building policy and offensive spindle, which has led to their inability to create a higher ceiling.
If Donovan Mitchell fails and is targeted, the Jazz have almost no second offensive point that can effectively break through the deadlock, resulting in Rudy Gobert's weakness of poor attack and no outside line being magnified, and the moment of chasing points is easily abandoned.
But now the Timberwolves don't have this problem, KAT, Anthony Edwards both inside and out, DLo has an excellent passing vision, but what is missing is an inside line that can eat cake and share the risk of KAT fouls with his body.
Last season, Vanderbilt made up for a lot of things with his mobility, including finishing means, offensive rebounds, etc., and the same role was replaced by Rudy Gobert, although the style was very different, but it was definitely competent and enjoyable.
Rudy Gobert's addition to the starters can somewhat avoid KAT's insoluble dilemma of "having to carry the biggest defensive end and facing the bag on the offensive end". When there is a tall man of 7'1 standing under the basket, with at least two offensive points on the periphery, everything will be much easier.
In some ways, as long as the run-in goes well and stays healthy, Rudy Gobert and the existing Timberwolves are expected to be a comfortable presence.
No matter how much O'Neal likes to pick rudi Gobert, we can't deny Rudy Gobert's role on the defensive end and the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
Last season, when Rudy Gobert was on the floor, the Utah Jazz scored 104.5 points per 100 possessions, but as long as Rudy Gobert is put on the bench, that number will skyrocket to 112.3, and the gap is evident. As for the offensive side, there is not much difference.
Most of the reasons that can make Rudy Gobert play are forced by the helplessness of the other side to play a small lineup. But what if the Timberwolves are in the chase stage, what if they want to play fast and play outside?
It doesn't matter, they can still go back to last season's mode. And now there's Kyle Anderson, Torrian Prince, experience, three-pointers, defense, and you don't have to worry too much.
What really bothered them was that there was no "big man" who could protect KAT, and when they wanted to change people, they looked back and saw that there were only Naz Reed and Greg Monroe, who signed at the end of the season, and could only change their scalps or let KAT continue to hold on.
With Rudy Gobert, the situation will be much better, at least the internal rotation will be healthier, Naz Reid will not have to blow himself up when he is out of range, and Downs will not have to bear the pressure of not having a backup.
In that sense, Rudy Gobert was able to give the Timberwolves a fresh look, and if that's the direction the team wants to see, it's hard to find a better option in the market than he is.
Tim Connelly, the Timberwolves' new general manager, has said his goal is for the Timberwolves to "become a playoff team with home-court advantage," implying that he is in the top four in the West in the regular season.
Therefore, when the opportunity comes, the team must take advantage of it. And this time the Jazz gave Tim Connelly a chance to upgrade the lineup, and in the end, was it a small bet, or a big bet to hurt himself? I don't think it's necessary to make up your mind too early.
I quite like the opinion of Pioneer Press columnist Jace Frederick. That's what he said about the deal.
"Although Rudy Gobert will turn 34 or older after the current contract, as far as a defensive center is concerned, the age is just right. Look at Marc Gasol, who also helped the Toronto Tyrannosaurus win the title at the age of 34 and became a key catalyst for the team. ”
"As for salary space, it's always been a great idea to have money to sign big stars, but it's another thing to actually be able to do it, and [timberwolves'] history has proven it for us."
"More top players will be attracted to the teams along the coast, and when there is a chance to sign freely, [big cities with pleasant climates] will be their first choice." Therefore, for the Timberwolves, the opportunity to get stars is often generated through trading. ”
For now, Rudy Gobert is a big fish and is expected to be the mainstay of the Timberwolves' defense. The thinking of this transaction is really wild! ”
If you can, trust Chris Finch to solve the mystery of the "Twin Towers" attacking and defending both ends, and once again bring miracles to the Timberwolves.