Since he took over the front office in Minnesota, the buzz around league circles has been Tim Connelly wanted to lean into size and add a defensive big man to play next to Karl-Anthony Towns, someone who could solidify Towns’ weakness and let him focus on his immense strength — scoring the basketball.
Enter Rudy Gobert.
Connelly and Minnesota have bet that the “twin towers” idea of Gobert and Towns can work. That duo is imposing, however, it leaves coach Chris Finch some work to do creating space in the halfcourt (“Mr. Gobert, we’d like to introduce you to the dunker’s spot here along the baseline”).
Where does the slashing of Anthony Edwards fit into this? He still should be the best player on this team within a couple of years and he will have the ball in his hands a lot. He has the potential to be a great playmaker, but the lane could be crowded for the Timberwolves next season. This will be a test for him.
Gobert has four years and $140 million remaining on this contract.
That D’Angelo Russell was not part of this trade raises eyebrows — Minnesota has been very openly to trading him, but the market has been slow.
Danny Ainge has added five future first-round picks.
The plan is reportedly to build around Donovan Mitchell, not trade him.
Courtesy: NBC
