Timberwolves Should Explore Keeping KAT and Trading Rudy Gobert to The Los Angeles Clippers
May 30, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) warms up before game five of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Following the Minnesota Timberwolves' abrupt playoff exit against the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals, the team has been rumored to be considering trading Karl-Anthony Towns due to payroll issues. However, it might make more sense to trade Rudy Gobert, especially after securing his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award.
The most logical trade destination and fit for Gobert, and a team previously connected to him, is the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers are striving to maximize the potential of their aging core, including James Harden (34), Paul George (34), Kawhi Leonard (32), and Russell Westbrook (35). Adding Rudy Gobert would provide Tyronn Lue and his team their best chance at a title, solidifying their starting five as one of the NBA's best.
A potential deal for Gobert could be challenging since Minnesota's President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly, would likely prefer trading him to the Eastern Conference rather than a Western Conference contender. However, the Clippers have several assets that might interest Minnesota, potentially making the team more balanced with depth.
Minnesota needs to save money and become a more balanced team, and a deal with the Clippers could achieve that. A sensible trade would involve sending Gobert to Los Angeles for Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, Bones Hyland, and the No. 46 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Zubac posted a 113 defensive rating this season, with averages of 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Gobert, with the NBA's best defensive rating at 104.4, averaged 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, making Zubac a seamless replacement in the starting lineup with similar skill sets.
As the team moves on from Gobert, there may be a defensive setback, but Zubac's expiring contract of $11.7 million sets him up for free agency next summer if it doesn’t work out. In addition, at 27 years old, Zubac fits well within the core's timeline, featuring Anthony Edwards (22), Karl-Anthony Towns (28), Jaden McDaniels (23), and Naz Reid (23).
Powell is one of the more underrated assets in this proposed trade, as the Timberwolves lacked a player in the postseason who could create their own shot in space, which is one of Powell’s strengths. He would provide a much-needed offensive spark with his scoring ability off the bench, something the team desperately lacked outside of Reid last season.
Powell, the oldest player involved in the deal, is entering his age-31 season and is the most costly asset with $39.7 million remaining on his contract over the next two years. He’s coming off a season where he averaged 13.9 points per game, while shooting a tremendous 43.5% from beyond the arc.
Despite having a hefty contract and not having age on his side, Powell is highly regarded as one of the league's premier sharpshooters and brings extensive playoff experience, including an NBA Championship ring from his time with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
Minnesota tried to trade for Hyland two seasons ago when he was still with Denver, where Connelly had originally drafted him before leaving for the Timberwolves' President of Basketball Operations position. Given the team's lack of a succession plan for Mike Conley, developing Hyland behind Conley over the next season or two could be a risk worth taking.
Hyland, still just 23 years old with considerable untapped potential, appeared in 37 games last season. He averaged 6.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, with a 32.6% three-point shooting percentage.
Although his performance last season wasn't particularly eye-catching, he holds a career three-point shooting percentage of 36.1%. It’s unclear at this time if the team has any interest in re-signing either of Monte Morris or Jordan McLaughlin, so as of now, the team only has Conley at point heading into next season.
Acquiring the No. 46 overall pick in the deal might not immediately stand out, but it could represent another valuable asset. This pick could be used to acquire a budget-friendly veteran player or unearth another hidden gem, mirroring Connelly's knack for identifying talent late in drafts. Notably, Connelly's past success includes drafting three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft.
