According To Karl-Anthony Towns, The Timberwolves Never Told Him About The Rudy Gobert Trade

David Berding. Getty Images.

Of all the Woj bombs we've gotten over the years, it's hard to remember a bigger "what the hell?" moment than when this happened

The fact that Rudy Gobert got traded wasn't the surprising part. I think everyone knew the deal as soon as Danny Ainge came to town. But to the Wolves? For that package? Then we learned what the picks ended up being and the deal looked even worse. Given what we watched this season, I don't think anyone would suggest that trade worked out well. Especially with what Walker Kessler turned into.

With a trade that massive, you would think the organization would be in communication with their best players about what was going down. Maybe get some input, maybe share your plan with them so they can prepare a certain way during the offseason, you know, normal NBA franchise stuff.

According to KAT, that most certainly did not happen

If you're curious why KAT was maybe surprised that he wasn't going to be a 5 anymore, it's because he's basically only been a 5 since he entered the league. Just look at his position splits

When you trade for Gobert, you obviously aren't bringing him in to be anything other than your starting center, so it is a little bizarre that KAT had no idea what the deal was before they pulled the trigger on the trade. That just seems like something you may want to run by your franchise player. Maybe they didn't really give a shit because KAT already signed his 4/224M extension that kicks in after next season, but that isn't exactly setting everyone up for success. Having to hear it from social media is always going to be a bad look for a front office. 

Barring some other sort of massive trade involving KAT, this is now his reality. Sure at some point he could ask out, but given what the Wolves gave up to bring in Gobert, their only option is to try and find a way to make it work. When those two shared the floor this season (529 mintues), the results were mixed. The offensive rating was rather low (106.2) but their Drtg was legit (105.6). The tricky part is even when you add in Anthony Edwards to the equation, the offense didn't get any better (106.7). Somehow, the Wolves have to figure that shit out because their entire future now surrounds the success of those three players while they share the floor together.

I will say though, it was refreshing to hear both PG13 and KAT talk about how their seasons were failures. I know everyone went crazy over Giannis' quote, but it's totally OK to tell the truth. If you don't meet expectations and massively underachieve, it's a failure. It may also be a step to success, but it is indeed a failure. If the Celts blow Game 6 tonight, you bet your ass their season was a failure. That's how sports and expectations work.

KAT is right that he was playing some of his best basketball this season before getting hurt, but the real issue is him figuring his shit out in the playoffs. He fouls WAY too much (4.2) and only shot 45/25% in the Wolves 5 games this season. For a guy so talented, his impact in these playoff games is almost non-existent, and that was true even before Gobert came to town.