Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal 

If anyone should welcome this deal, it’s Gobert. After all, he’s probably never been in as good of a situation as he’d land in with the Raptors. 

For years, Gobert was responsible for holding down a Utah Jazz defense that was devoid of perimeter defenders. Now, he finds himself in a similar situation in Minnesota. Covering for Towns’ limitations as a perimeter defender must be taxing on the former Defensive Player of the Year. 

In Toronto, he’d finally have some help. In fact, he’d have a whole army of wing defenders. Between Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and O.G. Anunoby, the Raptors would likely boast the best defense in the NBA with Gobert in the middle.

With so much combined length and mobility, scoring on them would be exceedingly difficult. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves & Toronto Raptors Updates

Granted, this deal leaves the Raptors without a starting point guard. That’s fine for now. They could land one in the buyout market, make a separate trade, or simply hold out for 2023-24. 

All things considered, that would be a correctable mistake