To get the deal done, the Wolves sent Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, (1st rnd pick) Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Balmero and FOUR future 1st round draft picks (’23, ’25, ’27, ’29) back to Utah. All of those picks, other than 2029, is unprotected. Even in 2029, the protection is only top-5. Expectations for the 2022 Timberwolves just went through the roof.

Utah is trading Rudy Gobert to Minnesota, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

The Timberwolves are sending Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and multiple first-round picks for Gobert, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Minnesota is sending its 2023, 2025 and 2027 picks unprotected and a top-5 protected 2029 pick to Utah, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/fz3wxKJT0D

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

The Wolves just gave up a bunch of role players and FIVE 1st round picks to bring this Rudy Gobert deal to fruition. One would think you could have gotten just about anybody in the league for that price. What’s also clear with this move, is that the Minnesota Timberwolves organization is zigging, while the rest of the league is zagging.

Wolves Zigs, While Others Zag

With this move, Minnesota has chosen to go BIG while much of the NBA is going small. Another question that immediately comes to mind, is whether or not new owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore had any sway on this blockbuster. They’ve been begging the Wolves’ front office to make a splash for over a year.

Reminder, Chris Finch spoke with media the other day and mentioned three players, Jaden McDaniels, Jalen Nowell and (more obviously) Anthony Edwards, who he felt were very important to the future of the Timberwolves. We knew Ant wasn’t going to be dealt, but neither of the other two were included in this trade either.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Walker Kessler last season at Auburn:

▪️ 2021-22 Naismith & NABC National Defensive Player of the Year
▪️ Led the NCAA in blocks
Set a single season record with 155 blocks
▪️ 2021-22 SEC Defensive Player of the Year
2021-22 All-SEC First Team pic.twitter.com/AKgrlrO7GH

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) June 24, 2022

Because the NBA refuses to adjust its league calendar and bylaws, trades between teams can be agreed to and are “unofficially” reported on by media outlets. But until they’re approved and officially announced by the NBA, they’re not official and teams cannot comment. That’s why, last night, Tim Connelly was only able to talk about one 2nd round draft pick during his post-draft media availability.

Minnesota’s second unofficial 1st round pick of the night, Wendell Moore Jr (Pick 26 – Duke), still hasn’t been made official. The NBA Draft is broken and the consternation it causes has been a problem for years. The league, however, refuses to fix it. Awkward moments and mass confusion rule the night.

Memphis Reporter Doesn’t Know

Walker Kessler found that out first hand on Thursday night when the (unofficial) new Wolf sat down behind the on-site press conference podium at Barclays Center. He was wearing a Memphis Grizzlies hat but knew he was Minnesota bound. Unfortunately, nobody told the Memphis media member, who needs to download Twitter.

Classic 65ish second Walker Kessler news conference from Brooklyn: #Timberwolves #RaisedByWolves pic.twitter.com/kDh3rglllt

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 24, 2022

— Reporter: Your overall thoughts on getting selected and your thoughts about Memphis?

Kessler: You know, I’m just… uhhh… I’m ecstatic. I’m excited for the opportunity. Umm, as a kid, you look at this level of basketball and you don’t understand that it’s a real thing. That it’s an attainable thing. And to finally get here… you know, it’s surreal. I’m just excited.

— Reporter: Are you looking forward to playing with Ja Morant?

Kessler: Uhhhh…. yeah. You know… super… super looking forward to it. Ummm, super excited about, you know, just playing in the league, in general. And yeah… super excited.

— Reporter: What are you going to provide to the Grizzlies day 1?

Kessler: Uhhh…. sooo…. you know, I…. ummm… I think, just my ability to be a defender. I think that’s really what I did in college and also just playing hard and trying to win.

Fix the NBA Draft

Draft stage photos can’t be used because players are putting on hats and holding up jerseys of teams they aren’t going to play for. In the past, players, fans and media were often unaware of trades that had been consummated and it’s led to legendary awkward moments in backroom interviews and press conferences.

At least, back in the day, the trades were announced and accepted by the league at some point in the night. Hats were swapped between players and everything. Creating visual brand identity is easy, they said…

“Milwaukee conveys the draft rights to Stephon Marbury to Minnesota, in exchange for the draft rights to Ray Allen…” pic.twitter.com/sy2dWG66es

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 21, 2018

Today, trades are usually broken on Twitter before or as picks are being announced on stage, by the commissioner. Mass confusion still runs rampant. That was clear Thursday night, shortly after Walker Kessler became a Wolf… or Grizzly. Whatever.

Eric Stack | Minnesota Sports Fan