NBA: Rudy Gobert's first words after the announcement of his transfer from Utah to Minnesota

A few words on social networks as a goodbye.

French pivot Rudy Gobert, considered at 30 as one of the best defenders in the NBA, confirmed on his social networks on Saturday that he was leaving the Utah Jazz, his team since his debut in the North American league in 2014.

“Utah!!!!

I was just a kid from France when I arrived here nine years ago, but I felt welcomed and supported from day one, ”wrote the Tokyo Olympic vice-champion on his Twitter account.

“I grew as a man and as a player in front of your eyes and I thank you for every moment that I have lived.

Utah and its people will always hold a special place in my heart, thank you, the journey continues,” added Gobert.

Utah!!!

I was just a kid from France when i got here 9 years ago… pic.twitter.com/TKmQ6tC4dH

— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) July 2, 2022

If he does not mention his next destination, it is, according to the specialized press, already known.

According to information Friday from the American channel ESPN, very aware of exchanges and transfers in the NBA, it is the Minnesota Timberwolves who paid the price to recruit the triple best NBA defender.

To receive Gobert, Minnesota will give up no less than five players (Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and Leandro Bolmaro) and especially four first-round picks in the years to come (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029 ), which makes it possible to recruit the best young players from the American university system or from abroad.

Many disappointments with the Jazz

Gobert should form the Timberwolves a formidable pair in the racket alongside another very high level interior, Karl-Anthony Towns, which has already earned the duo the nickname “Twin Towers”.

Best rebounder of the regular season last year with 14.7 catches per game on average, "Gobzilla" also scored 15.6 points per game.

Gobert is still chasing his first NBA championship title and has had disappointments in his last seasons with the Salt Lake City franchise.

Fifth in the Western Conference with 49 wins and 33 losses at the end of the regular season, the Jazz were eliminated in the spring in the first round of the play-offs by Dallas.

The previous season, Utah was eliminated in the conference semifinals by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Gobert is one of the highest paid French sportsmen in the world.

In December 2020, he signed a contract with Utah which was then one of the biggest ever signed in the NBA, guaranteeing him 205 million dollars (more than 195 million euros) over 5 years.

But for some in the United States, Gobert remains the first NBA player to have tested positive for Covid-19 in March 2020. He had been criticized for his lightness, after touching the microphones and recorders with his hands during a press conference a few days earlier.

His positive test had precipitated the suspension of the NBA season and cast a chill over his relationship with the other Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, quickly infected with Covid-19.