Stacy Bengs/AP Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves made a league-altering trade this past summer, trading four first-round picks, a pick swap, and numerous players for Rudy Gobert. It wasn't necessarily a move that ensured title contention as much as a move that would push the Wolves firmly into the playoff mix, ensuring relevancy.
In the process, however, the Wolves set a new standard for what it takes to trade for a star. The deal affected the trade markets of Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell.
Months later, it's worth asking if it was worth it. It's early, of course, but the Wolves are 11-12, 11th place in the West. They have a negative net rating. The trio of Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Edwards has been awkward — solid defensively, weak offensively. All three players have publicly griped about the team's play and about each other.
Now Towns is expected to miss several weeks with a calf strain. The Wolves had an impressive win in their first game without their leading scorer, beating the Memphis Grizzlies, but then inexplicably gave up 135 points in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Is there any way this can be fixed? If the Wolves lose more games without Towns, they may fall out of the playoff race. If they suddenly win without Towns and improve their record, well — it might be awkward when he comes back.