The Utah Jazz are trading three-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
On Friday afternoon, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported that the Jazz will send Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro and multiple first-round picks.
Utah is trading Rudy Gobert to Minnesota, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022
The Deseret News has confirmed the deal, according to league sources.
The Jazz will be receiving unprotected first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027, a pick swap in 2026 and a top-five protected pick in 2029, according to a report from The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.
It has been reported in recent weeks that the Timberwolves were looking to pair a defensive-minded center next to offensively gifted big man Karl-Anthony Towns, with Gobert being a name regularly mentioned in those talks.
The 27th pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets, Gobert was acquired by the Jazz on that draft night and went from a seldom-used player in his rookie year to a dominant defensive force.
The 7-foot-1 Frenchman has career averages of 12.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.3 assists per game.
Last season, he averaged 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 1.1 assists.
In December 2020, Gobert signed a five-year, $205 million contract that still has four years left on it (the last year is a player option).
This story will be updated.