Rudy Gobert-Nikola Vucevic swap

[SUPERVILLAIN]

Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Luka Garza and Leonard Miller for Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Huerter, Lonzo Ball and 2025 12th pick

Yes, this is a sideway move for the Timberwolves. The main incentive to do this trade is to free themselves from Gobert's long, expensive contract but still being a competitive team. Vucevic, Huerter and Ball should complement Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels pretty well. And of course there's the 12th pick too. Bulls get the best player in the deal for a reasonable cost.

[giberish]

It's sort of even but in a way that hurts both teams. Chicago gives up long-term value for a short-term boost while Minny gets long-term value but has a clear short-term downgrade.

If Minny could offer #12 + Vuc for Poeltl than I like that deal for them. But #12 + Vuc for Poeltl makes more sense for Chicago if they're making a win-now move anyways.

[ReggiesKnicks]

It's sort of even but in a way that hurts both teams. Chicago gives up long-term value for a short-term boost while Minny gets long-term value but has a clear short-term downgrade.

If Minny could offer #12 + Vuc for Poeltl than I like that deal for them. But #12 + Vuc for Poeltl makes more sense for Chicago if they're making a win-now move anyways.

Poeltl isn't worth #12.

[shrink]

First, I want to acknowledge that Rudy Gobert is one of the most polarizing players on these boards. For me, his contract isn’t bad. He was second team All Defense the season after his fourth DPOY, and offensively, he is one of the best pick (man can this guy set a pick!)-and-roll centers in the NBA. The issue is that he needs a passer that can throw a lob. Ant still struggles with this, and Mike Conley can, but he’s getting older.

That said, for this price, I think it’s a trade Tim Connelly would need to consider. Vooch is Vooch - you get what you see. But Lonzo Ball has long been coveted by the Wolves boards (Poetl too, fwiw), Huerter is a decent shooter who may replace NAW if they can’t afford him, and the #12 pick is always valuable with a drafter like Connelly.

One wrinkle. Mike Conley has been promised that he won’t get traded unless he agrees to it, and he wants to keep his family in Minnesota. He recently said he wants to play a couple more years, but maybe if he was traded with Rudy (a combo that makes them both more valuable), he’d be on board.

[ChettheJet]

No way do the Bulls give up 2 expiring contracts, pus #12 and a vastly discounted Lonzo Ball for the Biggest contract and 2 0f the 3 oldest players the T Wolves have

NO WAY

[Texas Chuck]

You guys do realize how much better Minny plays with Gobert on the court, right? Look at the OKC offense when he was on the court versus off. It was night and day. But you tell me Gobert sucks at offense so surely the Minny offense jumps off the charts playing Naz at center? Nope, about the same.

Rudy Gobert is not the problem in Minnesota. Not sure there is a problem honestly. They've been a Final Four team the past two seasons and their talent says that's a good result. There has been zero underachieving.

[psman2]

I don't think the Bulls are in a place where they should be spending assets on a guy at Gobert's age. Gobert would be their best player, but any team with Gobert as their best player is going no where. In a vacuum I think the value is fine, but direction wise better for Bulls to tank and keep their pick next year.