NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves Nearly Traded Rudy Gobert This Summer

After two consecutive trips to the Western Conference Final, the Minnesota Timberwolves were apparently ready for a major shakeup this summer, according to insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

Windhorst writes that before the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, they were discussing a deal with the T-Wolves that would have sent Rudy Gobert, among others, to the desert.

The Suns had in-depth discussions with the Minnesota Timberwolves about moving Durant and sought a package that included star center Rudy Gobert, guard Donte DiVincenzo, promising forward Terrence Shannon Jr. and the 17th pick in this year's draft, sources told ESPN.

But Durant made it clear he wasn't interested in going to Minnesota, putting the kibosh on the deal.

If that had gone through, says Windhorst, the Suns would likely not have bought out Bradley Beal, and they would have kept him for his scoring. Instead, Phoenix got themselves Jalen Green for that role, along with feisty forward and defensive dynamo Dillon Brooks, among other draft assets in the Durant trade.

Gobert is a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and this past season averaged 12.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks. Nevertheless, writes Eamon Cassels of Dunking with Wolves, Gobert could still be traded eventually, "and it feels fairly unlikely that he will finish the remaining three years he has left on his contract in Minnesota."

This is largely due to the Summer League play of 18-year-old center Joan Beringer, the Wolves' first-rounder this year, who could be ready to contribute in the NBA sooner rather than later, writes Cassels.

Gobert's time on the rumor mill has likely not come to an end just yet.