Call the Minnesota Timberwolves anything but cautious.
After shaking things up by trading away their once-franchise-cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte Divincenzo, nobody is safe in Minny - not even Rudy Gobert, it seems.
If the rumors are true, could Atlanta plug in Coach Quin Snyder's former frontcourt star? If so, what could Atlanta give up to make it worth Minnesota's while?
Rudy Gobert has drawn interest from another East team
Reportedly, the Timberwolves aren't necessarily "shopping" the Stifle Tower, but they're not hanging up the phone, either. Per The Stein Line's Jake Fischer:
"Minnesota is said to be as exploratory and open-minded as Boston when it comes to shaking up the roster around the team's clear alpha (Edwards)."
Boston's primary trade talks have centered around another superstar this summer - Giannis Antetokounmpo. The talk of the town has long been a deal centered around Jaylen Brown for the Greek Freak, with exploratory options even looping Atlanta in as an interested third party.
If the dominoes fall into place, it would be a shock if Boston acquires both non-shooters in Gobert and Giannis in one fell swoop this offseason. This leaves the door wide open to any other suitor interested in Gobert - especially teams in dire need of a true five.
Rudy Gobert and Quin Snyder's chemistry could be revitalized
Outside of Atlanta's obvious positional need for a center - as was clearly on display all series long against the bigger, stronger New York Knicks - they could also reunite their head coach, Quin Snyder, with his longtime frontcourt star, Rudy Gobert.
Snyder's tenure as head coach of the Utah Jazz can be described as nothing short of a complete fortress of a defensive system centered around the French phenom Rudy Gobert. Without Gobert, there is no contending team. End of story.
Snyder was able to use Gobert in so many unique ways in the past - stifling offensive schemes left and right. While Gobert isn't Victor Wembanyama, he's about the next best thing on the defensive end of the floor. Adding Gobert to a Hawks team desperate for rim protection would be the answered prayer Onsi Saleh has been hoping for.
Due to Gobert's old age and Minnesota's history of bold trades, it wouldn't surprise me if they were open to a shocking sort of deal - could the Hawks throw cap filler (Buddy Hield, Corey Kispert) alongside young talents in Asa Newell, pick 23 in the 2026 NBA Draft, and Zaccharie Risacher to the Timbs to ignite a youth movement around Edwards?
While it may be a long shot, if Gobert isn't untouchable, Atlanta should phone the Timberwolves to enter their name into the running for the Frenchman. All-Defensive centers don't grow on trees - a fact Quin Snyder is well aware of.
Add us as a preferred source on Google