NBA Mock Draft Suggests Timberwolves Pick Rudy Gobert’s Replacement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Couden | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 5:30 PM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves front office is making big decisions this offseason, which could drastically hurt or improve their chances of contending for future championships. After back-to-back exits from the Western Conference Finals, it's clear something has to change.

The team's already one of the select few teams that could make a trade with the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant, with the Miami Heat another mentioned. Adding KD would seriously boost Minnesota's starting lineup and scoring, but it's going to mean parting ways with other roster members.

Speculation has suggested that either Julius Randle or Rudy Gobert will need to be included in a deal for Durant. Losing either of these bigs would seriously alter the team's frontcourt.

Both provide double-double capabilities, with Gobert adding his defensive presence. Towns, who they acquired in a trade with New York last season, gives a talented inside and outside player capable of scoring in the paint or from downtown.

According to ESPN, NBA insider Dave McMenamin speculated that a potential trade for the Wolves to get Durant from the Suns might include Gobert, not Randle.

With the 2025 NBA Draft approaching, the front office will need to determine the best player to take with the No. 17 pick. Various mock drafts have given different answers for the college star, but focus on selecting a big man to join the frontcourt.

One of those answers is Georgetown Hoyas forward Thomas Sorber. The 19-year-old is 6-foot-9, and while that's not quite Gobert's height, The Athletic's Zach Harper suggests Sorber could be an ideal replacement for him.

Sorber averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, two blocks, and 1.5 steals per game in his one season with the Hoyas.

According to NBADraft.net, Sorber “plays bigger than his frame” with an impressive wingspan. The outlet compared him to previous NBA big men Roy Hibbert and Vin Baker, both of whom were multi-time All-Stars.

Sorber isn't among the first 13 players ESPN reported were invited to sit in the green room for the upcoming draft. However, BYU's Egor Denim and Georgia's Asa Newell, two other big men that mock drafts have speculated Minnesota could pick, both got invites.

The 2025 NBA Draft begins on Wednesday, June 25 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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