The Minnesota Timberwolves and star center Rudy Gobert reached a three-year, $110 million contract extension, a team source said Tuesday.
Gobert entered the season with two more years left on his current contract, including a player option for $47 million in 2025-26. Reaching this extension gives Gobert long-term security and the Wolves much more flexibility with the salary cap by forgoing that option for a considerably lower salary next season.
The decision by Gobert gives the Timberwolves the financial wherewithal to retain Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid, who can be a free agent next summer, and possibly even valuable bench wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker. It is a reflection of Gobert’s affinity for the organization and the market, a place he has settled in after a rocky first season two years ago.
Gobert bounced back from an underwhelming debut season in Minnesota in 2022-23 by resuming his all-world defensive form to lead the Timberwolves to the No. 1 defensive ranking last season. He earned his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, tied for the most in NBA history, and helped the Wolves reach the Western Conference finals for the second time in franchise history.
Gobert won fans over in Year 2. They became more appreciative of the little things he does to impact winning and the pride he takes in representing the franchise.
Gobert is a proud player coming off of a great season, so it could have been a tricky negotiation. But he turned 32 in June and the Wolves needed to find a way to retain him while also carving out room for Reid. Gobert’s willingness to take the number that he did kicks that door wide open.
It also gives added flexibility for the Wolves to continue building around the young core of Reid, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels.
Gobert is in his third season with Minnesota. He averaged 14.0 points and 12.9 rebounds in 76 regular-season games last season. In the playoffs, Gobert added averages of 12.1 points and 9.8 rebounds in 15 games.
ESPN was first to report news of the extension.
(Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski / Imagn Images)
