Now that Rudy Gobert has played four seasons in Minnesota, was the trade to get him worth it?
Rudy Gobert has been a defensive anchor in the four seasons he has been with Minnesota. In 2025-2026, he averaged 10.9 points per game, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks. The purpose of bringing in Gobert was to pair his elite defense with Karl-Anthony Towns.
In his first season with the Timberwolves, the team made the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years. They lost to the Dallas Mavericks 4-1. In 2025, they returned to the Conference Finals before losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 as well.
While the Timberwolves have seen success with Gobert on their team, they have yet to make it over the hump in the postseason. In his career with Minnesota, Gobert has averaged 12.6 points per game, 11.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks.
Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn ImagesAlthough Minnesota has yet to make a Finals appearance since making the move to get Gobert, their issues don't have much to do with him specifically.
Was the Trade Worth It?
In 2022, the Utah Jazz traded away Rudy Gobert for Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, draft rights to Walker Kessler, a 2023 unprotected first-round pick (Keyonte George), a 2025 unprotected first-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick swap, a 2027 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2029 top-5 protected first-round pick.
While the haul to get Gobert was big, the Timberwolves needed a difference-maker on defense at the time. Rudy Gobert is a former four-time Defensive Player of the Year and has made timely blocks throughout his time in Minnesota.
Matt Blewett-Imagn ImagesMinnesota has won many games with Gobert on its roster, and the reason they have yet to make the Finals has more to do with a lack of a second option than inconsistent play from their big men.
In the 2026 playoffs, Gobert averaged 7.2 points per game, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. There's no question he is not the scoring threat he once was early in his career, but the Timberwolves know that it is not his job to be the team's second option on offense.
In their last two playoff runs, the Timberwolves have been stopped short of a run to the championship because of a lack of consistency on offense from Anthony Edwards' supporting cast.
Matt Blewett-Imagn ImagesWhen Rudy Gobert has been called upon to make plays defensively, he has been able to do so. Without Gobert's consistent interior defense, Minnesota would likely not be able to compete with teams like the Denver Nuggets or San Antonio Spurs, as they rely on their talented big men to win games.
