In 22 years, Timberwolves won Gobert for 9 for 1. How did those people develop later? Timberwolves made a lot of money

There were many big deals in the 2022 NBA offseason, and the most shocking thing was that the Jazz sent Gobert to the Timberwolves. The reason for saying this was, on the one hand, because before that, the Jazz kept saying that they would not trade, but in the end they suddenly broke down and rebuild. The Timberwolves really invested a lot of money for Gobert. In this deal, they not only sent away five players, but also included four first-round draft picks. You should know that Gobert's reputation was still in a low state at that time. He was not only a blue-collar player with a single style of play, but the most important thing was that he had a maximum salary but never helped the team reach the division finals.

But soon after, the Timberwolves proved that they did not misunderstand that Gobert is a very suitable player for them. In the past two seasons, the Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years. During this period, Gobert, as the mainstay of the team's inside line, also won the fourth best defensive player in his career in 2024. On the offensive end, his frontcourt rebounds, screens, and eating cakes are also indispensable parts of the team's system. Therefore, although Gobert's decline has become more obvious in this year's playoffs, it has to be admitted that he can at least ensure the lower limit of a team, but it will be difficult for him to play a greater role as far as he can go in the playoffs.

And look at the players that the Timberwolves sent away for Gobert, fans can feel more about how successful their deal was. Then we will take stock of the five players who also participated in this deal. Four of them have left the Jazz, and the only one left has become the team's new defensive core!

5. Leandro Bormaro

Career average: 1.1 points and 1 rebound

Bormaro, who participated in the NBA draft in 2020, was selected in the 23rd pick in the first round, which shows that he still has some highlights. Unfortunately, after officially entering the NBA in 2021, he failed to realize his talent. Standing in the NBA arena, he could not adapt to the rhythm and intensity of the game here, so he averaged only 1.4 points and 1.2 rebounds per game in his rookie season. Then Bormaro was put into this big deal, but anyone could tell that he was just a big shot. Later, when he got to the Jazz, Bormaro was close to being refrigerated by the Jazz. Finally, after playing for the team for 14 games (4.9 minutes per game), he was cut by the management. Bormaro then chose to return to the European arena, where he played for the German team Bayern Munich and the Italian team Milan Olympia, but obviously he no longer has the possibility of returning to the NBA.

4. Malik Beasley

Career average: 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists

When Beasley played for the Nuggets in the early stage of his career, he did not have much highlights. Until he was traded to the Timberwolves in the 2019-2020 season, he gradually ushered in the peak of his career. Beasley averaged 19.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 3.5 three-pointers in the regular season. This is also the best year since he entered the league.

However, Beasley exposed his shortcomings at that time. He relied heavily on the outside and was easily named on the defensive end. In this case, his playing time and performance were not very stable. He was then traded to the Jazz, and Beasley's problem still existed. He was traded to the Lakers after playing there for half a season. His playing time further declined here, especially his touch until the end of the season was so bad. In the end, he was basically DNP in the playoffs.

The Lakers did not choose to keep Beasley in the offseason in 2023, and in order to prove that he joined the Bucks, who are determined to win the championship with a basic salary. His performance this year has improved compared to the Lakers, so he was able to sign a contract with the Pistons with an annual salary of 6 million yuan last year. It was this decision that allowed Beasley to usher in the second spring of his career. This season, he averaged 16.3 points per game, and averaged 3.9 three-pointers with a shooting rate of 41.6%. Even in the playoffs, he averaged 14 points and scored 3.3 three-pointers. Although he still has problems with unstable feel and defensive shortcomings, the Pistons are undoubtedly the team that can stimulate its potential, so Beasley can choose to stay in the team in the offseason.

3. Patrick Beverly

Career average: 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals

Before being traded by the Timberwolves, Beverly had played for four teams in his career. In his personal resume, he has also proved many times that his defense can stand the test. After being traded to the Jazz in 2022, considering that the new team was determined to play badly, Beverly negotiated with them to reach a buyout, and in the end he chose to join the Lakers as a free agent.

However, as he got older, Beverly still experienced an irresistible decline, so he has experienced trades and buyouts since then. So far, the Bucks are the last NBA team he has played for. That year, Beverly averaged 8.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1 steal, but the team fell in the first round due to injury. Later, Beverly received offers from multiple NBA teams, but he chose to go to the overseas league for a larger contract. Now he wants to return to the NBA, but considering that he is 36 years old, this is likely to be impossible.

2. Jared Vanderbilt

Career average: 5.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals

In high school, Vanderbilt was also a famous top athlete in the United States, but due to successive injuries, he could only change his style of play and became a role player, and was finally selected by the Nuggets in the 11th pick in the second round.. Later, Vanderbilt experienced many transactions. In the mid-2022-2023 season, he joined the Lakers with Beasley. With his help, the team also successfully reached the Western Conference Finals that year.

Then Vanderbilt signed a four-year, 48 million early contract renewal with the Lakers, but now the team is still too hasty. Due to constant injuries, Vanderbilt has been declining in the past two years. Vanderbilt played only 36 games in the regular season this season, averaging 4.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1 steal. His performance on the defensive end is indeed remarkable, but his offense is too dragging. Apart from the lack of shooting, he is even very unstable in his most basic eating. Therefore, Vanderbilt's playing time in the playoffs still has to be reduced. In the end, the team was eliminated by his old club, the Timberwolves, in the first round, and he averaged only 1.4 points per game in this round of series.

1. Walker Kessler

Career average: 9.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.4 blocks

Shortly after being selected by the Timberwolves in 2022, Kessler was traded to the Jazz, and he has become the team's new defensive core here. In the rookie season, he averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks per game. However, since the Jazz have been playing badly over the years, even though Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.4 blocks per game this season, there are still very few voices discussing his strength. However, during the regular season, the Lakers were exposed to wanting to get Kessler, but in the end they were rejected by Angie because the latter looked down on the Lakers' bargaining chips. This shows that Kessler is not a non-sale product in the Jazz's mind. Only the price is appropriate, and they may send the young player away at any time.