This NBA trade idea sends Rudy Gobert from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Charlotte Hornets.
A blockbuster NBA trade idea that would send Rudy Gobert from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Charlotte Hornets has been proposed.
Bailey Bassett of ClutchPoints created the following trade idea between the Timberwolves and Hornets:
Hornets receive: Rudy Gobert
Timberwolves receive: Two future first-round draft picks, Josh Green, Tidjane Salaun, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Liam McNeeley
Minnesota could trade Gobert or Julius Randle this summer after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of this year's playoffs.
Gobert will make $36,500,000 next season. He has a player option worth $38,000,000 for the 2027-28 season.
"A trade for Gobert wouldn't bring in too much more offense, but he'd certainly provide an immediate upgrade to Charlotte's frontcourt," Bassett wrote. "Gobert is still one of the best shot blockers in the NBA. The Hornets improved in a big way on the defensive end this past season, but a true defensive anchor could help them take the next step."
The Hornets, who missed the playoffs by one game this season, could start LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Gobert next season if Charlotte's front office makes a massive trade for Gobert this summer. On paper, that's a lethal-looking starting five.
For the Timberwolves this season, Gobert averaged 10.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 68.2% from the field. He remains one of the best defenders and lob threats in the NBA.
Ball is one of the top passers in the league. Gobert would get plenty of easy dunks playing next to Ball, who averaged 7.1 assists per game this season. Gobert would also transform the Hornets' defense into a formidable force. After all, the three-time All-Star is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
According to Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report, the Hornets have the trade resources to acquire a star forward or center this offseason. At the center spot, Moussa Diabaté has a promising future, but he's better suited to come off the bench. The Hornets should attempt to trade for Gobert using their existing trade assets to take the next step as a franchise.
Gobert doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he can't stop the Timberwolves from trading him if that's the route the franchise wants to take this summer.
"Gobert doesn't do much scoring unassisted, but luckily, Ball is one of the best playmakers in the NBA," Bassett wrote. "He particularly thrives in throwing lob passes, and Gobert is a great alley-oop finisher."
It will be fascinating to see what the Timberwolves do with Gobert this summer. If Minnesota makes the big man available in trade talks, the Hornets should call Tim Connelly.
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