One NBA writer is proposing that the Minnesota Timberwolves trade Rudy Gobert to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic in a blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Timberwolves and Bulls:
The Trade: Timberwolves trade Rudy Gobert to the Bulls for Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, a 2027 first-round pick (top-10 protected) and a 2029 first-round pick (top-three protected)
“While it might be too early for the Timberwolves to admit their mistake and move on from Gobert, part of the reason that’s true is the assumption Minnesota wouldn’t find anything of value for him on the trade market,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “However, the Bulls might be desperate enough to prove they can win with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan that they could move actual assets for an interior anchor like Gobert.
“If Minnesota could bring back two future firsts (one of which is lightly protected), that would be a massive win for this front office. And, no, it doesn’t matter that we’re all clueless about when Ball will suit up next, or that the Wolves would still face some of the same logistical issues by slotting Vučević next to Karl-Anthony Towns in another jumbo frontcourt.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Rudy Gobert, Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
The Timberwolves acquired Gobert from the Utah Jazz last summer. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year averaged 13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 blocks in his first year with Minnesota while shooting 65.9% from the field.
Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns weren’t a good fit next to each other last season and both players are set to make over $35 million next season. The Timberwolves went only 14-13 when Towns and Gobert played together.
Vucevic would be a better fit next to Towns since he can shoot from the perimeter. The former Orlando Magic star signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Bulls on June 28. He averaged 17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season while shooting 52.0% from the floor, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 83.5% from the free-throw line. Vucevic was third in the NBA in double-doubles (51).
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Rudy Gobert, Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
The Bulls need a defensive-minded center next to Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan and the Timberwolves need more floor-spacers next to Anthony Edwards and Towns. With that said, a Gobert-Vucevic trade would make sense for Chicago and Minnesota.
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