“This is the most horrible overpay in NBA” Nick Wright deems Timberwolves as ‘FOOLS’ for giving up 5 players and 5 picks for Rudy Gobert


“This is the most horrible overpay in NBA” Nick Wright deems Timberwolves as ‘FOOLS’ for giving up 5 players and 5 picks for Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert

Free Agency opened with a bang as Utah Jazz made a huge statement trading their star center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rumors of his not getting along well with another superstar Donovan Mitchell in the team made it certain that either of the players will be moved for a profitable trade package. Minnesota Timberwolves also got a strong rim protector, to partner their franchise player Karl Anthony Towns in the paint. This way the Wolves made their stand “win now” clear adding 4th star to the starting lineup. And Utah Jazz decided to go into rebuilding mode, keeping young Donovan Mitchell as the centerpiece for the future.

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But importantly more shocking was the price Minnesota paid for the services of Rudy Gobert. As per reports, Timberwolves landed French International against 5 players and 5 future picks. The massive price paid by the Wolves was surprising in many aspects, though the center star was on a heavy contract with the Jazz. In the recent edition of First Things First show, Nick Wright thrashes the valuation by Minnesota front office.

Rudy Gobert’s departure to the Minnesota Timberwolves might have given Utah Jazz the best building blocks for the future

Rudy Gobert Winning Defensive Player of the Year Award
Rudy Gobert Winning Defensive Player of the Year Award

Rudy Gobert was 30 years old, still in his prime, and recently lead the league in the blocks category. He was a 3-time defensive player of the season also and proved a very integral part of Utah Jazz’s success so far. At the start of the 2022 NBA Season, Jazz extended Gobert’s contract to 5 years at $ 205 million. But after yet another early exit from the playoffs made them think about a change in personnel to get to work done.

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Gobert had $170 and 4 years remaining on his contract and his relations with fan-favorite Donovan Mitchell were getting sour – as per reports. So Jazz confirmed moving the “dead-block” and star a fresh around Donovan Mitchell. But they were lucky to get 5 future picks in return for their “trade asset”

If we go by the commercials, Malik Beasley had 1 year and $ 15 million on his contract, similarly, Beverley had 1 year and $ 13 million left on his contract before the trade. This gives Jazz 2 one year players with a salary of $ 28 million on their books. In addition, they got Argentine Leandro Bolmaro, and Walker Kessler for 3 seasons and Jarred Vanderbilt’s 2 seasons for a total of $ 27 Million. These players might have cleared some of the cap spaces for the Timberwolves but they added 5 future 1st round picks which as per many are overpaid.

As per Nick, this is one of the costliest deals for the Wolves as they could have got their player with 4 players and 4 draft picks. While with players at shorter contract lengths, Jazz will see out the complete 2023 season, and push for the Championship from next season, adding required pieces around Mitchell.

Also Read: “He will go be an Eddie King and Five Heartbeats” Shannon Sharpe firmly believes Kevin Durant will be heading back to Warriors

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