The Timberwolves now sit at 13-4, the current #1 seed in the Western Conference, almost 1/4 through the season.

Rudy Gobert defensive rating: 102.3 (#1 in the league)

KAT defensive rating: 104 (#2 in the league this year / averaged 109 historically)

Timberwolves: 106.6 (#1 in the league)

If they make the finals this year; are we still saying it was an overpay?

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  • Bivore@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I think it can simultaneously be an overpay but still pay off. Objectively, they probably didn’t need to pay that much for Gobert, or perhaps could have got someone better than Gobert with the same package. However, if you win a championship it’s obviously worth it no matter how much you pay. How far you go down the ladder of what’s worth it is subjective, but Minnesota hasn’t really had any playoff success in a while (ever?). I’m sure Wolves fans would be quite happy with the trade if they get to see them continue this form rest of season and make a legitimate effort at a playoff run - regardless of how many rounds they make it.

  • stanquevisch@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Big if. One year ago Utah was the top seed in the west,

    An overpay for me is when you pay more than you could have for a player. Gobert was an overpay and will always be since he net the Jazz about the same as teams got for guys like Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant or Paul George.

    Now the question that you ask looks more like - was it worth it, even if an overpay? I think one Finals appearance for a team like the Wolves is probably enough. Sustainable playoff success for like 3 years (1-3 series wins) with one Finals appearance in that period is def enough for that trade to be positive.

  • elimanninglightspeed@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Minnesotas won 1 playoff series in their history. Getting to a conference finals or 2 would mean the trade paid dividends. If they win a ring then absolutely

  • magna77@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    If a trade makes you a realistic chance at a title then it’s worth it even if you don’t win.

  • cdizzle6@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I was just talking about this a week or two ago with my boys. A WCF appearance would make it a win in my book.

  • Greaves6642@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Depends if the Wolves fans are happy with a few years of relevance. I don’t think their FO did an amazing job building a winning culture but lucked into And and KAT with paying for Gobert with their future.

    So if after two or three years they become irrelevant again without even having made a Conference Finals, was it worth it for their fans?

  • CohoDolls@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    He did kinda shift the culture in Minny which is prob the most important thing in sports. Same reason you can’t ever tell me the Kings lost the Sabonis trade, they were in a dark place before and got back to relevance with him.

  • Street-Common-4023@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    My fault wolves I didn’t think that it would work . Truly believed second round exit at most but rn and in a few years with more experience definitely contenders or even right now

  • Pisthetairos@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Now just imagine Walker Kessler playing center instead of Rudy Gobert.

    And the defense being just as good.

    And the offense better.

    And spending $30 million less per year on the center position.

    And having several additional good role players.

    And having all your future draft picks instead of none of them.

  • Calinks@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I think that what this does for Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels as young cornerstones, this is worth it. This puts them in contendership at an early age. If they are around in 5-8 years and still trying to compete to titles on this team, they will be extremely experienced and hardened.