Latest news with #Gobert
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Timberwolves' 3-Time All-Star Linked as Centerpiece in Possible Kevin Durant Trade
Timberwolves' 3-Time All-Star Linked as Centerpiece in Possible Kevin Durant Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams most interested in trading for superstar Kevin Durant, which also renders them among the most likely landing spots for the future Hall of Fame forward. Advertisement Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe on the June 12 edition of "The Bill Simmons Podcast" named the Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs as the two franchises with the most buzz in NBA circles with regards to a Durant trade this summer. Both of the longtime league insiders dubbed the Spurs as the more likely destination given San Antonio's viable trade assets -- both in terms of current players and draft picks. However, Ian Begley of SNYtv authored an X report on Saturday, June 14, that supports a version of a Durant deal that might favor Minnesota. "One thing worth noting on potential Kevin Durant trades: there are important Suns voices who want to add a starting-caliber [center] this offseason," Begley wrote. "There are several pathways to do this, but KD trade obviously gives PHX the clearest path to one. As many others have said, MIN is among teams with current interest in Durant. Nothing has changed for me with the Knicks and Durant, despite the reported interest earlier this week. Still see it at as a long shot that Durant ends up in NY." Advertisement Lowe noted the combination of Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker and Gobert as "a thing" during his appearance on Simmons' podcast Thursday. Gobert is a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-Star who has been a big part of two consecutive trips for the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals. He averaged 12 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game last season at the age of 32. Meanwhile, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game during his age-36 campaign with the Suns in 2024-25. Related: Kevin Durant To The Timberwolves Is Topping Zach Lowe's "Buzz" Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Timberwolves Refusing To Include Jaden McDaniels In Kevin Durant Trade
Timberwolves Refusing To Include Jaden McDaniels In Kevin Durant Trade originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Minnesota Timberwolves have made one thing abundantly clear in their pursuit of Kevin Durant: Jaden McDaniels is off the table. According to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski, the 24-year-old forward is untouchable in any trade talks involving Durant, a stance that highlights just how highly the franchise values his two-way impact and long-term importance alongside Anthony Edwards. Advertisement "The Wolves are not including Jaden McDaniels in any KD trade talks, per team sources, which means that one of Randle or Rudy Gobert would have to be the primary salary eater in the deal. Randle has a $31 million player option for next season. Gobert makes $35 million." "Including either one of them not only helps in the salary matching portion of the deal, but both veterans would be reliable contributors who could help Devin Booker and the Suns compete now. It does not appear that Phoenix wants to tear down and rebuild as part of this trade.: "Randle and Gobert both figured prominently in Minnesota's run to the conference finals last season. Both are floor-raisers for the regular season at a minimum, and both had big moments in the playoffs before struggling in the conference finals against OKC." Durant is on the trade block after a disastrous 36–46 season in Phoenix, and the Timberwolves are one of several serious suitors, joining the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs in the sweepstakes. Advertisement But while Minnesota is eager to land the 36-year-old future Hall of Famer to pair with Edwards, they are unwilling to sacrifice the defensive heartbeat of their team to make it happen. Matching Durant's $54.7 million salary remains the biggest challenge. With McDaniels off limits, the Timberwolves are reportedly looking to build a package centered around Julius Randle or Rudy Gobert, both of whom hold contracts that exceed $30 million for next season. Gobert, who struggled in the Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder but was instrumental in Minnesota's run throughout the year, is the likeliest candidate to be moved. Phoenix, meanwhile, has little interest in a teardown. That makes veterans like Randle or Gobert, both proven floor-raisers and playoff contributors, logical targets to help the Suns remain competitive around Devin Booker. Advertisement Still, the Timberwolves' refusal to include McDaniels is telling. Drafted in the same year as Edwards, McDaniels has grown into one of the league's premier perimeter defenders. His stats may not jump off the page, but his ability to guard multiple positions, contest shots without fouling, and anchor the team's defensive schemes makes him indispensable to Chris Finch's system. He's also just scratching the surface offensively, showing flashes of shot creation and playmaking. The Edwards–McDaniels pairing represents Minnesota's long-term core, and team president Tim Connelly seems intent on keeping it that way. Even for someone as transcendent as Durant, the Wolves are holding firm. But the Wolves are calculating. With McDaniels deemed untouchable and Edwards off-limits, their offer will likely hinge on a combination of Gobert or Randle, salary fillers like Donte DiVincenzo, and multiple first-round picks. Whether that's enough for Phoenix remains to be seen. Advertisement As trade talks accelerate ahead of the July 6 window, one thing is clear: Minnesota wants Durant, but not at the cost of its defensive cornerstone. If the Wolves can pull this off without giving up McDaniels, they could emerge from the West not just as contenders, but as favorites. Related: Former NBA Player Feels Anthony Edwards Would Go "Supernova" With Kevin Durant On The Timberwolves This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rudy Gobert Addresses Concerning Details on Breakup With Pregnant Girlfriend
Facing backlash for his alleged breakup with his pregnant girlfriend, Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert attempted to clear the air just hours after news broke. According to a TMZ report on May 16, Gobert kicked his girlfriend, Julia Bonilla, the mother of his one-year-old son, out of his home in April after learning that a second baby was on the way. Advertisement Bonilla addressed the report in a lengthy Instagram story post, saying, 'one of the most painful times in my life.' 'I considered Rudy the love of my life. I left everything for him. I gave him a child and poured my heart into our relationship,' she wrote, getting ahead of any assumption that she had cheated. 'I NEVER EVER been unfaithful to the father of my children,' she added. Gobert addressed the report himself a few hours later and redefined his relationship with Bonilla. Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27)Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images "A lot of inaccurate information out there," Gobert wrote on his Instagram story on May 16. "Julia and I are currently in the painful process of redefining our co-parenting relationship. Being a father is one of the most profound and meaningful experience i will get to live. It is one of my most important life purposes and will be so forever. "I'm fully committed to keep supporting the well-being of all the people that I care about," Gobert added. "I'm asking everyone to please refrain from speculating and to respect our privacy in these difficult times." Advertisement TMZ reported that sources said Bonilla hoped to move back to her home country of France, but Gobert wants her and their son, Romeo, to stay so they can "figure out child custody" after the Wolves' season concludes. The Timberwolves begin the Western Conference finals on Tuesday, May 20. Related: Stephen A. Smith Issues Bold Timberwolves Prediction Ahead of West Finals
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Major trade idea gives the Lakers a defensive monster at center
Major trade idea gives the Lakers a defensive monster at center To make a baseball analogy, some people want the Los Angeles Lakers to swing for the fences and look to hit a home run rather than simply get a base hit single when it comes to pursuing a legitimate starting center this offseason. Names such as Nic Claxton, Daniel Gafford and even Jarrett Allen, who was named to the NBA All-Star Game three years ago, have been tossed around as possible targets. But one writer for ClutchPoints proposed a trade idea that would land the Lakers someone who has not only been an All-Star three times and the Defensive Player of the year four times, but also recently torched them in the playoffs. That's right — this trade idea would give the Purple and Gold none other than the French Rejection — otherwise known as Rudy Gobert. In this mock trade, they would give up guards Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent and big man Maxi Kleber to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and they would also receive Josh Minott, a little-used 22-year-old small forward. Via ClutchPoints: "Doing business with the team that just bested them in the playoffs wouldn't be easy for the Lakers, but there might not be a better center option available, and LA needs to maximize LeBron James' time in the league alongside Doncic before he retires," wrote Bailey Bassett. "Gobert has notably declined, evidenced by a 1.4 block per game average this past season. That mark was tied for Gobert's worst since his rookie year. He is also incredibly limited on offense when it comes to his post-up game, ball-handling skills, and jump shot. "Even so, Gobert is still an elite defensive player. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is still one of the best rim protectors in the NBA. Ultimately, the Lakers just need a big body who can take up space down low and collect rebounds." This would be a high-risk, high-reward trade for the Lakers — not too much unlike the 2022 trade that brought Minnesota Gobert for four serviceable role players and four future first-round draft picks. In addition to his vast offensive limitations, Gobert seems to have some difficulties playing effective defense on the perimeter, as Luka Doncic proved in this year's playoffs, as well as last year's Western Conference finals. But his career average of 11.7 rebounds a game would greatly help a Lakers team that lacks power on the boards. He would also be an excellent target for lob passes from Doncic. Ultimately, this may be a trade idea the Lakers would want to turn down, depending on the other options they may or may not have elsewhere. Reaves shouldn't be untouchable, but he shouldn't be traded for someone such as Gobert who has serious limitations in his game on both ends of the court.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lakers Trade Proposal Lands $109 Million NBA Star From Timberwolves
Lakers Trade Proposal Lands $109 Million NBA Star From Timberwolves originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Exciting times are ahead for the Los Angeles Lakers. When the 2025-26 season starts, they will have a full season with Luka Doncic and LeBron James. On paper, they have a solid chance of being in the conversation with the other contenders in the West. Advertisement However, the Lakers need to address their big man problem. The Minnesota Timberwolves constantly picked on that during their first-round series, which led to a gentleman's sweep. The Lakers can't sweep it under the rug, and the one team that could help them with this issue is, in fact, the Timberwolves. Minnesota will try to get under the NBA's second tax apron while maintaining their status as a contender in the Western Conference. The Lakers would make sense as a trade partner in that regard. Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27)Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images ClutchPoints' Bailey Bassett proposed a trade to solve their big man problem, but it would come at a significant cost. He outlined a deal that sends Rudy Gobert to LA in exchange for Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber. Advertisement "Gobert is still an elite defensive player," Bassett wrote. "The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is still one of the best rim protectors in the NBA. Ultimately, the Lakers just need a big body who can take up space down low and collect rebounds." Gobert is entering the first year of his three-year, $109 million contract extension (via Spotrac). At 32 years old, he averaged 12 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting nearly 67% from the field. Those are some of the lowest he's averaged in years. However, he's still a quality center that the Lakers could use. Related: Cooper Flagg, Lakers News Turns Heads After Monday's Announcement Related: Lakers Make Big Warriors Announcement on Monday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
