T-WOLVES LAND ALL-STAR GOBERT
In 2013, Tim Connelly took over as general manager of the Denver Nuggets and in his first draft, he officially selected center Rudy Gobert, who was on his way to the Utah Jazz via a draftnight trade.
Connelly has been on the job for the Timberwolves less than two months, but his first franchise-altering move in Minnesota — and one of the most seismic trades in recent team history — involved the 7-1 Gobert, as he dealt multiple players and multiple firstround picks to Utah to land one of the NBA's most decorated defensive players, a source confirmed on Friday.
As part of the massive deal, the Wolves are sending Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, recent firstround pick Walker Kessler and an abundance of draft capital — four future firstround picks (unprotected 2023, 2025, 2027 picks and a top-five protected pick in 2029) along with a pick swap in 2026, a source confirmed.
The trade package was also significant for who was not included in it. Point guard D'Angelo Russell, who has been rumored to be on the trading block this offseason, is still with the Wolves, as is Jaden McDaniels, the promising young forward the Wolves see as a big part of their future and who has drawn interest from teams around the league.
The Wolves wanted to bolster their frontcourt, and they did so in about as big a way as they could. Gobert, a three-time defensive player of the year, will be in the second year of a contract that pays his $205 million over five years and is signed through 2026. He will now pair with Wolves center Karl-Anthony Towns in a modern twin towers lineup.
The trade will slide Towns to the four while Gobert will primarily handle rim protection, something he excels at perhaps better than anyone in the league, though one of his new teammates had thoughts on that matter when they faced each other earlier this season.
“I don't get why we couldn't finish on Rudy Gobert,” Anthony Edwards said after a Wolves loss to Utah in December. “He don't put no fear in my heart. I don't know why.”
But Gobert usually makes players think twice as they head to the rim.
Wall a Clipper
John Wall and the Clippers are officially together.
The five-time All-Star point guard agreed to a twoyear contract worth $13.2 million, his agency, Klutch Sports, announced, an amount that matches the figures for the full taxpayer mid-level exception.
Wall, 31, has not played in the NBA for 14 months because the point guard, one of the league's most dynamic stars with his blinding speed before heel and Achilles tendon injuries, did not fit the Rockets' plans for a groundup rebuild. The Rockets paid Wall $44 million last season not to play.
After Wall and the Rockets agreed to a buyout in which he gave back $6.5 million of the $47 million he is due this upcoming season, Wall had to clear waivers before he could negotiate with the Clippers as an unrestricted free agent.
Notable
Zach LaVine is staying in
Chicago. Same goes for
Jusuf Nurkic in Portland. Day 2 of NBA free agency brought another max deal — this time, going to LaVine, who secured the richest contract in Bulls history when he agreed to a $215 million, five-year contract. Nurkic got by far the biggest payday of his career, agreeing to a four-year, $70 million contract with Portland.
Mitchell Robinson is another big man not moving elsewhere, agreeing to a $60 million, four-year contract to remain with the Knicks.
LaVine's agreement was at least the fifth deal of at least $200 million struck since free agency opened on Thursday.
Some Others on Day 1 were Devin Booker ($224 million extension with Phoenix) and Karl-Anthony Towns ($224 million extension with Minnesota). And a sixth deal could very easily join that $200 million club: Memphis' Ja Morant agreed to a $193 million extension that could reach $231 million based on what awards he qualifies for this coming season.
• Point guard Ricky Rubio agreed to return to the Cavaliers on a multiyear contract. Rubio, who was instrumental in Cleveland's turnaround last season before injuring his knee, agreed to a 3-year, $18.4 million deal.
• The Celtics improved
their backcourt depth by trading for Pacers guard
Malcolm Brogdon. The Celtics are sending five backup forwards and a 2023 first-round pick to Indiana in exchange.
• There are some players who will be changing addresses. Danilo Gallinari,
according to a person familiar with his decision, intends to sign a two-year deal with the Eastern Conference champion Celtics — once his waiving by the Spurs is completed. Also on the move:
Bruce Brown Jr., a guard who decided to leave Brooklyn and sign with Denver on a two-year deal worth just over $13 million.
• The champion Warriors brought back one of their key free agents, retaining
Kevon Looney — who appeared in all 104 of the team's games this past season — on a three-year deal that could be worth about $26 million if the final year becomes fully guaranteed. But another two rotation pieces went elsewhere; Gary Payton II is headed to the Trail Blazers and Otto Porter Jr. is signing with the Raptors.
• The NBA sent another strong indicator that the penalty for transition take fouls is about to change. Such fouls will result in a penalty of one free throw, plus retention of the ball, at all three summer leagues this season.