the Jazz are trading three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolvessources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (twitter link).
According to Wojnarowski (all twitter links), the Jazz will receive Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro2022 first-round pick Walker Kesslerand four future first-rounders in the deal.
Minnesota will send Utah unprotected first-round picks in 2023, 2025, and 2027, along with a top-five protected 2029 first-rounder and the right to swap picks in 2026, reports Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (twitter link).
A major shake-up had been expected in Utah this spring and Gobert has been mentioned in trade rumors since the Jazz were eliminated from the postseason since the spring. Additionally, the Wolves were rumored to be in the market for a rim-protecting center to play alongside Karl-Anthony Townsand had been linked to Gobert.
Still, the fact that the two division rivals were able to agree to terms on this blockbuster deal comes as a major surprise and represents a huge home-run swing by new Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and incoming owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez.
The move will cost the Timberwolves a good amount of their depth, but will create a loaded starting five. Towns and Gobert figure to be joined by point guard D’Angelo Russellrising star Anthony Edwardsand one of Kyle Anderson, Taurean Princeor Jaden McDaniels.
The Wolves will have Gobert under contract for several years — he’s owed a guaranteed $123MM over the next three seasons and has a $46.7MM player option for the 2025/26 season.
Having also acquired a first-round pick from Brooklyn this week in exchange for Royce O’Nealethe Jazz are now loaded with draft assets and plan to retool their roster around Donovan Mitchell going forward, per Wojnarowski (twitter link). Tony Jones of The Athletic confirms (via Twitter) that the team has no plans to trade Mitchell.
There could be an opportunity for the Jazz to turn around and immediately flip some of the picks they’ve accumulated for an impact player who will complement Mitchell.
For instance, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reports (via Twitter) that Utah is believed to have interest in exploring a sign-and-trade deal for suns restricted free agent center Deandre Aytonand Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer confirms (via Twitter) that the Wolves, Jazz, and Suns had discussed some three-team scenarios.
Of the players being sent to Utah in this trade, only Kessler will have guaranteed money on his contract beyond 2022/23. Beverley is on an expiring contract, while Beasley, Vanderbilt, and Bolmaro all have team options. The Jazz are currently $11MM below this season’s tax line for 13 players and should have significant flexibility going forward, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
As for the Wolves, they project to be about $9.5MM below the tax, with 11 players on their books, says Marks.