Just a few months after making a run to the Western Conference playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves made the ultimate win-now move. After giving up a historic package that included Leandro Bolmaro (2020), Walker Kessler (2022), unprotected picks in 2023, 2025, and 2027, and a top-five protected pick in 2029 and a 2026 swap, the Wolves came into this season confident that would be a major force in the West.
But through the first quarter of the season, that hasn’t been the case so far. The Timberwolves are 16-18 and haven’t looked right (even when fully healthy) all season long.
To make matters even worse for Minnesota, Gobert himself hasn’t played like the guy they traded for. His numbers are down across the board and his impact on the game isn’t nearly at the level it used to be.
And when NBA fans discovered he has the same number of blocks this season as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it was the final straw.
FUN FACT:
Rudy Gobert (29 games played) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 games played) both have 34 total blocks this season 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gATMNUwDuG
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) December 28, 2022
Gobert is averaging his lowest blocks per game since his rookie season and nobody is totally sure why. At only 30 years old, Rudy isn’t old enough to be in decline and he’s been pretty healthy through this season so far. Yet, for some reason, his struggles continue.
Twolves front office should be fired on spot.
— Tyler Hughes (@tylerhughes32) December 28, 2022
Daily reminded Minnesota got ROBBED #CarryOn
— K. (@kal_Lafeyette) December 28, 2022
Worst trade in nba history
— ☘️Jøhn☘️ (@JT_For_Three_) December 28, 2022
Minnesota tried copying the lakers with a big man duo AD at pf with Dwight Howard and Javel in at center did more damage then KAT and Rudy let that sink in and people think KAT. Is better then ad 😂
— famousbrad (@bradyourdad) December 28, 2022
5 first round picks… https://t.co/mBE2MtjjrK
— Justo (@Young_Justo) December 28, 2022
Yeah Gobert needs to throw those DPOY trophies in the middle of the ocean fr https://t.co/aJpNoNqX9Q
— Joke 🃏 (@Jokeeee_) December 28, 2022
I know the Timberwolves front office is throwing up https://t.co/5rDULedg17
— mars (@marsjoint) December 28, 2022
BRO WHAT?! https://t.co/VTpsGiI064
— Alex (@Bolerjack) December 28, 2022
I remember how everyone was hyping up the t wolves after the first game lol https://t.co/1btcevjXdw
— 🤘🏼😔 (@_Chewwy_) December 28, 2022
No disrespect to Shai, but he isn’t a three-time Defensive Player of The Year. The harsh truth is, Gobert shouldn’t be getting out-blocked by a 6’6″ guard.
Was The Gobert Trade A Mistake For The Timberwolves?
It’s still too early to call this season complete waste for Minnesota, but it certainly doesn’t look good. Even with Towns having missed a chunk of the season, the Wolves don’t look like a team that can compete in the West.
As for Rudy, there’s a chance he’s not the same guy we’ve been watching all these years.
“After watching Gobert get outplayed by a rookie center on a two-way contract in a loss to the severely short-handed Miami Heat on Monday night, the Timberwolves have to ask themselves if the Gobert they got in the trade with the Jazz is a shadow of the player who was such a force in Utah for so many years, or just one that needs a little more time to find his way.”
Only time will tell how this trade ultimately gets remembered in the history books, but anything but a championship can be considered a failure for this team.
After giving up so much to land Gobert in the first place, they need him to step up and play like the star he was in Utah if they want any chance of salvaging this complicated situation.
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