this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023
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As a Timberwolves fan, I'd say it's ALREADY worth it. There were multiple full seasons where we literally barely won as much the whole year as have right now at 13. We're relevant. We're fun to watch. We're playing for today. We're in contention. We haven't had that in 20 years. I don't care what non-Timberwolves fans think tbh. They don't get it. Most of yall skip around with your favorite players anyway. You don't know what it's like to follow a losing team for decades. Only Kings bros can talk to us. I'm not losing sleep over some basic bench players and some #25-30 draft picks. We aren't #1 in the West without Gobert. Full stop.
Now I'm gonna enjoy this season that (barring injuries) will continue to be a blast
This is an insane take. I need Wolves fans to take just one minute to put their thinking caps on and imagine that it’s 2026. Anthony Edwards is entering his prime at 25. He’s a top 3 player in the league. He’s alongside Jaden McDaniels, who is an elite defensive player. Naz Reid is 27, in his prime, KAT is 31 and aging gracefully with his shooting. Gobert is 34 and barely a presence anymore, but the regular seasons were great!
This team is one impact player away from contending. So they trade their first round pick for a PG. Wait, sorry, they already traded it for Gobert, who is no longer playing. So they trade next year’s pick. Oh, sorry, wait, they’ve already traded that one too. So they trade the following year’s pick. Oh wait, they can only swap that pick, because of Rudy Gobert. So they trade the following year’s pick. Wouldn’t you know it! They traded that pick for Rudy Gobert :(. Rudy Gobert is NO LONGER ON THE TEAM at this point. And they won’t even be halfway to paying off what they paid for him. Which happens to be, roughly, every first round pick that lines up with Anthony Edwards’ prime.
The next three years better be REALLY, REALLY good. Because the Timberwolves just traded all of their trade ammunition from Anthony Edwards’ prime, in exchange for the rights to pay Rudy Gobert a max contract until he’s 34. If the Wolves don’t win a championship, this was a massive mess up. Because they are borrowing from the best championship window this team is probably ever going to have in 2026-2028. It’s insane they did this trade. If they win a championship, all is forgiven of course. But it’s unhinged to suggest that being good for 17 games one year makes it already worthwhile. Do you understand what they gave up here?
Tldr
Don't be a miserable fuck. Nobody likes it.
That's a valid concern, but you're missing a few things:
In 2026 they can trade picks out to 2033.
You're completely writing Rudy off because he's 34. He'll decline, but defensive big men don't fall off a cliff with age. KG, Duncan, Hakeem, etc were defensive forces until 40. KG could barely run up and down the court and was our best defender at 39. Rudy will have positive value into his mid-30s.
Having a quality team and a superstar in Ant attracts free agents and trade candidates. People wanted to play for OKC when they were good. Hell, Kyrie wanted MN when Jimmy was here. Superstars bring in cheap ring chasers and friends.
34? The man is 31 ffs
Do you understand that they have the ability to recoup assets?