About a year ago, things were so bad for the Timberwolves that one local (and national narrative) went like this: Was the trade for Rudy Gobert in the summer of 2022 somehow even worse than the Vikings’ infamous trade for Herschel Walker?
The question was asked earnestly, and it spoke quite poorly of both Gobert and the man who executed the swap: Wolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, who had only been on the job a few months before dealing four first-round picks and a handful of useful players for Gobert.
It was hard to tell who had a worst first season in Minnesota: Gobert or Connelly.
Things have improved so much in a year, though, that this question needs to be entertained instead: Which of Gobert and Connelly has had a better second season in Minnesota?
In addition to being connected by the legacy of that blockbuster trade, the fortunes of both men are also connected by another roster addition — something I talked about on Tuesday’s Daily Delivery podcast.
A little over a year ago, Connelly made a different trade — dealing away point guard D’Angelo Russell for Mike Conley Jr., Nickeil Alexander-Walker and three second-round picks.
It was a master class in roster management from Connelly. Getting a point guard that fit the Wolves much better than Russell — and particularly one who meshed well with Gobert from their previous time together in Utah — helped stabilize the team in the short-term last year. Getting Alexander-Walker, now a valuable rotation player, plus three draft picks made the deal a coup.
Getting Conley was the start of changing the impression of Connelly. And it was the start of unlocking Gobert’s potential in Minnesota. The rest of it for Gobert this season seems to be better health and renewed comfort in the Wolves’ defensive system, helping him rise again to an All-NBA Defense level and changing the narrative on the blockbuster Gobert trade.
