The Chicago Bulls, as of the 2026 NBA offseason, obviously have their starting center mind made up via their acquisition of Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets as part of a four-team trade, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets, that shipped center Naz Reid to the Hornets, guard LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves, and forward Julius Randle to the Nets.
In the aftermath of this mammoth trade, Randle’s former Timberwolves teammate, center Rudy Gobert, becomes an interesting player for the Bulls to monitor, given an emerging trend the Timberwolves have displayed in trading prominent front-court players to keep their cap sheet out of second apron penalties. Â
The Timberwolves ' pathway to acquiring Randle in the first place came from sending center Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Randle after Towns’ four-year $220.4 million designated veteran extension kicked in during the 2024 NBA offseason.
In the 2026 NBA offseason, Randle’s ironic return to New York City ultimately cleared the path for the Timberwolves to extend former Bulls guard Ayo Donsunmu, in addition to bringing in a point guard upgrade via Ball, and most importantly, keeping the Timberwolves out of the second apron.
Gobert is extension eligible going into the 2026-27 NBA season, however the Timberwolves are also $4 million away from the second apron threshold. The French center will also go into the final year of his contract during the 2027-28 NBA season.Â
Therefore, the prospect of the Timberwolves extending Gobert may not be an obvious outcome from either side’s point of view.
If Gobert isn’t long for Minnesota, perhaps the Bulls should have another trade conversation with the Timberwolves centered on Gobert between the 2027 February trade deadline and the 2027 NBA offseason.
Gobert in Chicago is compellingÂ
Rudy Gobert, despite his age, in which he will enter his age 36 season in the first year of his next NBA contract, has many compelling positives to offer a Bulls roster presumably on an upward rebuilding trajectory fueled by Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis’ continued development.
Gobert is incredibly consistent in his availability. In his 13-year career, Rudy Gobert has appeared in fewer than 65 NBA regular-season games in three seasons. Additionally, Gobert is still a high-functioning defensive anchor the Bulls will undoubtedly need if they are to progress towards winning basketball again.
The Bulls acquiring Gobert would mean adding a big to the roster who holds a career average of 2.0 blocks per game, while also being an effective offensive player without dominating the ball. Gobert finished the 2025-26 NBA regular season with a league-leading 68.2 field goal percentage.  Â
A number of variables will come into play over the next two NBA seasons. Yet, targeting Rudy Gobert would be a great move for the up-and-coming Bulls, as Gobert is a reliable big who’s game should continue to age well.
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