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He'll soon be 33 years old and has three more seasons left on his contract after this one, at 35/36 and 38 million... The Wolves have been playing their best basketball while Rudy was injured... so if he were available... what could the Wolves get?

There's been a few trades proposed in a couple of similar threads and most seem to be a replacement big (who isn't as good as Rudy), solid starter/rotation player, and 1-2 firsts.I would call out that the Wolves have continued to elevate their best basketball with Rudy back in the lineup.

I personally am open to trading him because I want to create bigger roles for a lot of our rotation that needs more minutes but we have too many quality players and want a big protector, roll, lob big that's a better fit for like a 20mpg role compared to a 30mpg role.

Gobert is so impactful, regardless of age and salary...the only thing that would make sense to me is if MIN unloaded him for a petty good player and sneakily walked away with a draft pick that brought them Maluach for a fraction of the salary. That would be larceny.

Beating Charlotte, Miami, Philly and Phoenix wouldn’t make me want to make Rudy available. Beating OKC twice is surprising though.

But Rudy should still return a good amount. Less than what they paid obviously but still a good amount.

I don’t think Minn wants to move him though. Think they want to start Rudy/Naz/McDaniels/Ant for those 3 years and hope Dillingham develops. If the team could afford it, think you’d even keep Randle and just pay Naz enough to keep doing exactly what he’s been doing for another couple years.

But I still like LAL trading for him. Still like Atlanta.

Even if they moved him for "fair value"...what's their game plan? How do you replace that defensive anchor-at any price?

I'd let Randle walk and try to patch that hole inexpensively rather than Gobert's. It's not like Naz just slides in there without a dramatic drop off.

I said earlier, Maluach could be an X-factor. Imagine unloading $44m 32yo Gobert and subbing in (assuming a lot of optimism here) a 20yo version for like $5m a year under a rookie deal for half a decade?...and, whatever else you got in the deal

(that's what I'm presently obsessed with this morning - for ORL.

Just go random fun.. if Minnesota was interested in moving Rudy* they shouldn’t be..

Does Phoenix have the value to turn Beal into Rudy?

Say..

Bridges and Rudy to Phoenix
Nurkic + “….” To Minnesota
Beal “…” to Charlotte

Phoenix would have to stay under the second apron if they did that but seems possible?

Also need to send out some more salary, but could be Richards and/or Dunn+Oso+2025 Cleveland first probably as all that (and more) is needed? Or maybe they need to get whatever asset Allen is worth in order to pull it off?

But… Rudy/KD/Bridges/Booker/Tyus? Worth trying out at least?

Beal and his family could like CLT. And they have a lot of young talent around him so should be a fun team..

Could also be a Washington deal (Poole to Phx) or even Dallas (Klay to Phx, Gaff/salaries/assets to Minn)

Yes, I hear that he is very valuable (I believe it too), but when you try to think about which team would give up value for him... I can't think of any other team besides the HAWKS? (and he's not a good fit either due to his age) or maybe the SUNS?

Can't fully judge Rudy Gobert trade value.It seems to be all over the place. However if I had to guess, the asking price would be okay starting level player,preferably a Center, ether a good 1st round pick or multiple meh 1st round picks, and clear salary.

Skybox wrote:Even if they moved him for "fair value"...what's their game plan? How do you replace that defensive anchor-at any price?

I'd let Randle walk and try to patch that hole inexpensively rather than Gobert's. It's not like Naz just slides in there without a dramatic drop off.

I said earlier, Maluach could be an X-factor. Imagine unloading $44m 32yo Gobert and subbing in (assuming a lot of optimism here) a 20yo version for like $5m a year under a rookie deal for half a decade?...and, whatever else you got in the deal

(that's what I'm presently obsessed with this morning - for ORL.

I think the game plan would be to try to find a C on a rookie salary who they can play flexibly 15-25 minutes depending on the matchup and down size that to a smaller part of the cap. This would allow them to keep Naz, Randle, and NAW and maintain insane wing depth and versatility.

And/or it would open up a potential max slot when Randle's contract left the books next year and they could pair Ant with another superstar if they wanted.

I agree that Rudy has been one of the biggest reasons for the Wolves' growth these years, but I think with Conley getting older and developing, the team has mutated in a direction where Rudy doesn't seem to fit as well (considering salary, etc.). I would summarize my point by reducing his role... Without a pure PG in his prime to take advantage of Rudy's screens and vertical spacing, Gobert is reduced to a defensive specialist, exploitable in the playoffs and who ruins driving lanes... (plus they have McDaniels who is an excellent rim protector, even with his size)... I think if they could convert Gobert/Randle into a center who spaces the floor and blocks shots + saves (while getting younger), it would be a dream scenario... Turner sounds good, although considering he's a poor rebounder, I think J. Collins would be a very good fit... The problem is finding someone who needs Rudy and pays for him. Would the Lakers do it? Luka doesn't seem to like Rudy, or is it just competitiveness? I think it would be a blessing for Luka/LeBron, since I think the Lakers' switch defense isn't the best long-term idea for a 40-year-old LeBron. Luka/Reaves has mediocre athleticism, in my opinion... I got off topic...
my proposal...
Hachimura to PISTONS
Lakers31 to WOLVES
Fontecchio/Milton/Vincent+2 SRP(Pistons)+SRP(Lakers )to NETS
Gobert to LAKERS ..

I think the concept is understood... completely eliminate Rudy's salary + obtain a future asset (they fix their salary situation (Randle expires next year)... they create space to re-sign their entire young core (Naz/NAW) and in this scenario, they have the full MLE...
They sign B. Lopez for 2 years

López/Naz
Randle/Naz
McDaniels/NAW
Edwards/Clark/Shannon
DVV/Dillingham

Gobert before declining was a problematic contract, brcause of how terrible he is on offense, he absolutely puts a high floor, but non-championship cieling also, as he declines thisnproblem persists even with his declining contract.

Mavrelous wrote:Gobert before declining was a problematic contract, brcause of how terrible he is on offense, he absolutely puts a high floor, but non-championship ceiling also, as he declines this problem persists even with his declining contract.

Seems like the evidence doesn’t support this, since he was +138 in last year’s playoffs in 11 games.

shrink wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:Gobert before declining was a problematic contract, brcause of how terrible he is on offense, he absolutely puts a high floor, but non-championship ceiling also, as he declines this problem persists even with his declining contract.

Seems like the evidence doesn’t support this, since he was +138 in last year’s playoffs in 11 games.

This isn't evidence for high cieling, but high floor, when MIN ran into elite defense, his floor wan't enough and team struggled to close game on offense.

Not sure of the exact trade, but why not something around Durant for Gobert? I think both teams benefit.

Mavrelous wrote:

shrink wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:Gobert before declining was a problematic contract, brcause of how terrible he is on offense, he absolutely puts a high floor, but non-championship ceiling also, as he declines this problem persists even with his declining contract.

Seems like the evidence doesn’t support this, since he was +138 in last year’s playoffs in 11 games.

This isn't evidence for high ceiling, but high floor,

How in the world do you isolate that? LOL!

Mavrelous wrote:when MIN ran into elite defense, his floor wan't enough and team struggled to close game on offense.

Oh, the Wolves could beat the reigning champs Nuggets, but their “non-championship” offensive ceiling, specifically based on Gobert, was why they couldn’t beat the Mavs?

Ant took a hard fall in Game 6 against the Nuggets and was never the same. KAT was never right, rushing back from injury. Conley wore down. The Wolves were a mediocre offensive team that season when those guys were healthy - injured the team was going to struggle. I’m not saying the Mavs couldn’t have beaten a healthy MIN team, and the defense-oriented Wolves have no real answer for a big Luka, but I will clearly say that Gobert wasn’t the reason they lost to the Mavs.

shrink wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:

shrink wrote:Seems like the evidence doesn’t support this, since he was +138 in last year’s playoffs in 11 games.

This isn't evidence for high ceiling, but high floor,

How in the world do you isolate that? LOL!

Mavrelous wrote:when MIN ran into elite defense, his floor wan't enough and team struggled to close game on offense.

Oh, the Wolves could beat the reigning champs Nuggets, but their “non-championship” offensive ceiling, specifically based on Gobert, was why they couldn’t beat the Mavs?

Ant took a hard fall in Game 6 against the Nuggets and was never the same. KAT was never right, rushing back from injury. Conley wore down. The Wolves were a mediocre offensive team that season when those guys were healthy - injured the team was going to struggle. I’m not saying the Mavs couldn’t have beaten a healthy MIN team, and the defense-oriented Wolves have no real answer for a big Luka, but I will clearly say that Gobert wasn’t the reason they lost to the Mavs.

I isolate based on +/- being sky high in earlier rounds and negative in the finals.
This is Gobert 13th season, 8 straight PO, 1 conf finals with MIN, 3 semis with UTA, textbook limited cieling high floor player.

Astaluego wrote:I agree that Rudy has been one of the biggest reasons for the Wolves' growth these years, but I think with Conley getting older and developing, the team has mutated in a direction where Rudy doesn't seem to fit as well (considering salary, etc.). I would summarize my point by reducing his role... Without a pure PG in his prime to take advantage of Rudy's screens and vertical spacing, Gobert is reduced to a defensive specialist, exploitable in the playoffs and who ruins driving lanes... (plus they have McDaniels who is an excellent rim protector, even with his size)... I think if they could convert Gobert/Randle into a center who spaces the floor and blocks shots + saves (while getting younger), it would be a dream scenario... Turner sounds good, although considering he's a poor rebounder, I think J. Collins would be a very good fit... The problem is finding someone who needs Rudy and pays for him. Would the Lakers do it? Luka doesn't seem to like Rudy, or is it just competitiveness? I think it would be a blessing for Luka/LeBron, since I think the Lakers' switch defense isn't the best long-term idea for a 40-year-old LeBron. Luka/Reaves has mediocre athleticism, in my opinion... I got off topic...
my proposal...
Hachimura to PISTONS
Lakers31 to WOLVES
Fontecchio/Milton/Vincent+2 SRP(Pistons)+SRP(Lakers )to NETS
Gobert to LAKERS ..

I think the concept is understood... completely eliminate Rudy's salary + obtain a future asset (they fix their salary situation (Randle expires next year)... they create space to re-sign their entire young core (Naz/NAW) and in this scenario, they have the full MLE...
They sign B. Lopez for 2 years

López/Naz
Randle/Naz
McDaniels/NAW
Edwards/Clark/Shannon
DVV/Dillingham

So where does Luka sign after that deal? It sure as hell aint lakers, he hate the guy

Pacers on a sign and trade with Turner and filler for Gobert.

Pacers maintain a big defensive presence while allowing the ball to still flow through Siakam and Haliburton.
Wolves get a stretch 5 opening the lane more for Edwards.
Sell off Randle for fair market in picks/expirings.

Just a random one that isn’t realistic?

What else goes into Lively+Klay for Rudy?

Assuming Dallas can dump Gafford else where to make the salaries work for Dallas/Minn. Minn gets to save a fortune while Dallas gets to keep PJ

Dallas wants defense, so go get the best at it? He’s about a year older than Kyrie and AD, compared to the KD ideas.. So they can all decline together? Rudy and Kyrie (hopefully) will both he on below max deals, making it easy to keep PJ and try to build some depth?

Maybe shouldn’t have Klay end up in Minnesota, but didn’t want to write out a 4-5 team trade really. You can send him and Gafford to LAL and dump salary on a fourth-fifth team if you want.

Minn’s money problems are gone for another 2 years and they have a young talented player at all five positions?

Rudy/AD/Naji/Chrstie/Kyrie
PJ/Martin/11th pick and some really good cheap PG hopefully? Still keep any of the current bench players that want to stick around..

jayjaysee wrote:Just a random one that isn’t realistic?

What else goes into Lively+Klay for Rudy?

Assuming Dallas can dump Gafford else where to make the salaries work for Dallas/Minn. Minn gets to save a fortune while Dallas gets to keep PJ

Dallas wants defense, so go get the best at it? He’s about a year older than Kyrie and AD, compared to the KD ideas.. So they can all decline together? Rudy and Kyrie (hopefully) will both he on below max deals, making it easy to keep PJ and try to build some depth?

Maybe shouldn’t have Klay end up in Minnesota, but didn’t want to write out a 4-5 team trade really. You can send him and Gafford to LAL and dump salary on a fourth-fifth team if you want.

Minn’s money problems are gone for another 2 years and they have a young talented player at all five positions?

Rudy/AD/Naji/Chrstie/Kyrie
PJ/Martin/11th pick and some really good cheap PG hopefully? Still keep any of the current bench players that want to stick around..

That would be a really interesting team, certainly the best defensive unit in the NBA? I'd love to find a way to upgrade Naji or Christie for a wing that can score more - but I'm not sure there is a meaningful upgrade for that package? I think a useful point guard can be found affordable in free agency, especially with how tight money will be this offseason.