Apr 28, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) warms up prior to a game against the Dallas Mavericks during game six of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Vivint Arena. Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert will face old team Oct. 21

By Eduardo Solano | Last updated 8/17/22

Minnesota's Rudy Gobert won’t wait long to face his old team. Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported on Monday that the Jazz will visit the Timberwolves on Oct. 21. Gobert’s first game in Utah as an opponent will be on Dec. 9.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert will face the Utah Jazz for the first time on Oct. 21 in Minnesota and will return to Utah for the first time as an opponent on Dec. 9, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 16, 2022

The Jazz traded Gobert to the Timberwolves on July 6 for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 pick swap, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick.

Gobert averaged 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 32.1 minutes over 66 games last season. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year left the Jazz averaging 12.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 30 minutes over 611 games in nine years.

Rudy Gobert: 27th Pick 2013
-9 yr tenure in Utah
3x DPOY
3x All Star
4x All NBA
1375 Blks

Rudy Gobert Utah Highlights
2013-2022
-For Jazz fans to reminisce and for Wolves fans to see what’s to come pic.twitter.com/x6M31qXV4O
— Stifle-Tower27 (@Stifle_Tower27) July 2, 2022

Gobert’s games against the Jazz will be emotional because he became popular in his nine years in Utah. Gobert entered the league as a prospect. He's now a star with unmatched defensive prowess.

Gobert’s impact in Minnesota

The three-time NBA All Star will bring defensive presence to a Timberwolves team that is loaded with firepower on offense. Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell can light up the scoreboard. However, poor rebounding and the inability to get key stops on defense have prevented the Timberwolves from taking the next step. Gobert can make an immediate impact on defense.

The Timberwolves and Jazz seem to be headed in opposite directions. Minnesota went all-in with the Gobert trade, hoping he can help them compete for the NBA championship while Utah seems to be in rebuilding mode.

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