gold star for USAHOF

6. Rudy Gobert

6. Rudy Gobert

This one is tricky.

The Timberwolves raised a lot of eyebrows across the NBA when they gave up four players and five number ones to get the multi-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert.  It was a lot to give up, but the results have been scary thus far.

The Frenchman had solid numbers in 2022/23, averaging a double-double with 13.4 Points and 11.6 Rebounds per Game.  This is good, but he was down from his All-Star years, and the initial meshing with Karl-Anthony Towns was not fruitful.   However...

Anthony Edwards emerged as the team's star, and Towns was traded to New York.  In 2023-24, Gobert had a better year; though not an All-Star, his defensive prowess returned to form, and he won Defensive Player of the Year.  Even better, Gobert and Minnesota made it to the Western Conference Finals.   Last season, the T-Wolves returned to the WCF, and Gobert was again excellent on the defensive side, adding another All-Defensive Selection.

If Minnesota can get to the Finals (a tall task considering the emergence of Oklahoma City), the trade will be worth it.


The Bullet Points

  • Position: Center
  • Acquired: Traded from the Utah Jazz for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, a 2023 1st Round Pick (which would be Keyonte George) a 2025 1st Round Pick, a 2026 1st Round Pick, a 2027 1st Round Pick and a 2029 1st Round Pick 7/6/22.
  • Games Played: 218
  • Per Game Averages:

    32.7 MP
    .663 eFG%
    .650 FT%
    13.1 PTS
    11.8 RB
    1.4 AST
    0.8 STL
    1.7 BLK

    35 Playoff Games
    31.4 MP
    .607 eFG%
    .615 FT%
    10.7 PTS
    9.6 RB
    1.3 AST
    0.7 STL
    1.1 BLK

  • Advanced Stats:

    18.8 PER
    .679 TS%
    6.3 VORP
    29.6 WS

    35 Playoff Games
    15.9 PER
    .628 TS%
    0.7 VORP
    3.4 WS

  • Major Accolades and Awards: Defensive Player of the Year (2024)
    First Team All-Defensive (2024)
    Second Team All-Defensive (2025)
    Most Defensive Win Shares (2023-24)
    Highest Defensive Rating (2023-24)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten Defensive Player of the Year Finishes:
    1st in 2024

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