Blockbuster trade in the NBA! All-Star Rudy Gobert is moving from the Utah Jazz to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are easing things up for the Frenchman.
One of the best ring protectors in the NBA: Rudy Gobert (right against Luka Doncic) moves to Minnesota.
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According to media reports, five players will switch to the Jazz in exchange for Gobert, who will also receive four first-round picks from Minnesota. Accordingly, Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro and Walker Kessler, elected No. 22 in the previous draft, will wear the Jazz jersey in the future. The Timberwolves are also relinquishing their first-round picks of 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029. The first big deal from Danny Ainge, who took over as CEO of Jazz mid-season and is now radically transforming the franchise. The rebuild in Salt Lake City, which is likely to be centered around All-Star Guard Donovan Mitchell, has begun.
Three-time Defensive Player of the Year
The Timberwolves, who made the playoffs for the first time since 2004 last season, go all-in for center Gobert. The 30-year-old Frenchman has already been voted “Defensive Player of the Year” three times. Last season, he averaged 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 66 games for the Jazz. Gobert will form a powerful big-man duo with all-star Karl-Anthony Towns, who signed a four-year, $224 million supermax extension on Friday.
“Utah!!! I was just a boy from France when I came here nine years ago but I felt welcome and supported from day one,” Gobert wrote on Instagram. “I’ve grown before your eyes as a man and as a player and am grateful for every single moment. Utah and its people will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you. The journey continues.”
LaVine extends with the Chicago Bulls
Incidentally, she also does the same for Zach LaVine in Chicago. According to his consulting agency Klutch Sports, the 27-year-old received a max extension for another five years and $ 215 million with the Bulls. The two-time All-Star joined the Bulls in 2017 when they traded Jimmy Butler to Minnesota.
