East Contender Is Reportedly Interested in Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert

The Timberwolves are entering an offseason where the roster will be shaken up in one way or another this summer. Minnesota is coming off a season in which they made it to the second round of the playoffs, defeating the Denver Nuggets before getting knocked out by the San Antonio Spurs. 

Minnesota battled through injuries and underwhelming performances, but one constant for the team all season was center Rudy Gobert. Gobert played in all but one game in the playoffs due to the birth of his child in Game 2 of the first round. 

His consistency has caught the eye of a contending team in the Eastern Conference, as NBA insider Jake Fischer reports that the Boston Celtics have previously inquired about Gobert in the past, and the Timberwolves could listen to offers again. 

"Sources say that Boston, furthermore, has inquired about Gobert before... most recently at February's trade deadline," Fischer reported.

"Now I don't think that the Wolves are actively shopping Gobert, either way, but Minnesota is expected to be as exploratory and open-minded as Boston when it comes to shaking up the roster around the team's clear alpha."

In 2025, Rudy Gobert was still one of the better defensive big men in the NBA, averaging 1.6 blocks per game and 11.5 rebounds. He kept similar block numbers in the playoffs, sitting at 1.2 blocks per game, something the Boston Celtics have needed in recent seasons. 

By the end of this season, the Celtics frontcourt consisted of Neemias Queta, Nikola Vucevic, and Luka Garza. Queta emerged as a big man who brought reliable inside presence on both ends, but was not the difference-maker Boston needed him to be. 

Nikola Vucevic is a veteran who is entering the tail end of his career, and while he can still score at a decent level, he is a step slower on offense. Luka Garza is a younger big man who has yet to take on a bigger role with the team, and there's no real indication that will change this year. 

The issue has been prominent in recent seasons due to Kristaps Porzingis' injuries continuing to pile up. He was not traded until February 2026, but he became a non-factor over time due to durability issues. When he did play, Porzingis was very effective and made the Celtics a more complete team during their 2024 championship run. 

Rudy Gobert can bring that same kind of defensive presence Porzingis used to bring, and it could elevate the entire roster. In 2025-2026, the Celtics averaged 5 blocks per game as a team, which was good for 13th in the NBA. 

Adding a player like Gobert could put them in the top 10 range. It is unclear whether or not the Timberwolves want to shop around Rudy Gobert this offseason, but the Celtics could offer a package that could be hard to decline.