After the Minnesota Timberwolves made their first run to the Western Conference Finals in 20 years this past spring, it’s fair to wonder if the team will be able to take the next step in 2024-25.
Two of the more controversial All-Star-caliber players across the current NBA both happen to play in Minnesota’s frontcourt, and it remains an open question as to whether both offense-only big man Karl-Anthony Towns and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert can really sustain together deep into young All-NBA Second Team shooting guard Anthony Edwards’ prime.
Gobert in particular has had a dicey go of it of late. He was fairly exploitable on defense in the Western Conference Finals against Dallas — as he often is in the playoffs — because the lumbering 7-footer isn’t athletic enough to switch out onto the perimeter if needed. He’s one of the better rim protectors in the league, but frequently gets exposed in playoff series.
Towns, meanwhile, is also not particularly mobile, which makes him especially vulnerable when he’s guarding more athletic power forwards.
Rudy Gobert #27, Anthony Edwards #5, and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warm up before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center on February 28, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Team president Tim Connelly recently voiced his support for Gobert.
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The Timberwolves are far beyond the NBA‘s prohibitive second luxury tax apron, and may be compelled to make a choice between two of their top three bigs. Gobert has a $46.7 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Minnesota’s third big man (and the reigning Sixth Man of the Year), 3-and-D center/power forward Naz Reid, has a player option of his own for 2025-26, worth $15 million.
While at the Minnesota State Fair recently, Timberwolves team president Tim Connelly voiced his support for Gobert.
During an interview with Darren Wolfson of ABC 5 KSTP Sports Minnesota, Connelly got candid about just how long he wants Gobert to remain in Minneapolis.
“We would like Rudy to be here for a really long time,” Connelly said. “We love his agent, he’s been our friend for a long time and one of the best guys in the League. Certainly, our goal with most of these guys is keeping them as long as they want to be here and everyone’s very happy. So ideally, continuity is one of the better strengths we’re gonna have going into this season, and we really like our core group.”
At the 2024 Paris Olympics while plying his trade for the silver medal-winning Team France, Gobert was roundly outplayed by a fellow 2024 All-Defensive First Team honoree, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. Ultimately, he saw his minutes slashed mightily to a spot rotation run this summer.
Team France head coach Vincent Collet clearly valued Wembanyama’s offensive and defensive versatility over Gobert’s far more limited skillset, potentially an ominous sign for the 32-year-old’s future in international play, at least.
Across just 14.2 minutes per game for Team France at this year’s Olympics, Gobert averaged a scant 3.3 points on 69.2 percent shooting from the field and an abysmal 28.6 percent shooting from the charity stripe, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.0 assists and 0.5 steals a night, per FIBA.
Read more: Stephen Curry, USA Basketball Survive Team France to Win 5th Straight Olympic Gold Medal
