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One Year Later: Grading the Rudy Gobert trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves

By Chad Porto

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - DECEMBER 09: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on December 09, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - DECEMBER 09: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on December 09, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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Dec 9, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks over Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) in the firs half at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks over Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) in the firs half at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

Verdict

For the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s unfair to grade the trade solely off of last year. The Wolves were beaten up, hurt, constantly changing over their roster, and trying to fit so many new pieces into a situation without really knowing if it’ll work. They’ve had an offseason to re-adjust, and hopefully a healthy lineup this year will get them into more of a serious position to compete for a title.

So, it’s fair to give the Timberwolves a B- for the trade. Gobert still played well, even if the team wasn’t built for him to excel. The focus for the team right now seems to make it work between Towns and Gobert, and if they can, this will be a tough team to beat in the playoffs.

As for the Jazz, how can you give them anything other than an A+? In 10 years, maybe this is an “F-trade”, but as of today, the Jazz likely have two, if not for sure starters, two potential starters in Keyonte George and Walker Kessler. Kessler is a guaranteed starter, and George may for sure earn his spot depending on how the others at his position play. If they both are starters at some point this season, this trade is an automatic win for the Jazz.

You trade one starter for two? That’s usually a win. Plus you got Talen Horton-Tucker in this trade by proxy, and he may be a big chip for you down the line to move as well. This trade set the Jazz up for years.

Next. One Year Later: Grading the Utah Jazz trade of Bojan Bogdanovic with the Detroit. dark

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