Center Rudy Gobert confirmed on Tuesday night that he has signed a contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Earlier that day, ESPN and other sources reported that Gobert’s extension is for three years and worth $110 million. He joined the Timberwolves in a trade from Utah in 2022.
After the Timberwolves lost 110-103 to the Los Angeles Lakers in their season opener, Gobert didn’t go into details about the deal. However, he expressed his happiness about staying in Minnesota while structuring his contract to help his team be more competitive.
“I think it was about finding a win-win situation,” he said. “I’m happy here. My family is happy here. I want to win a championship here — and also, my next year’s contract was really high.
So (it was) about allowing the team to keep our guys, and also that was the win for the Timberwolves, but keeping me for a longer term was great for both of us. And also just giving me more stability long-term, I think, was what we were looking for.
“So I’m really grateful, I’m really happy, and now the goal is still the same. Regardless if we would have had a deal or not, the goal is to win a championship.”
The 32-year-old Gobert had a $46.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season in his previous contract. His new agreement replaces that option and extends his commitment to the Timberwolves, who made it to the Western Conference finals last season for the first time in 20 years.
“I think it’s about finding balance,” Gobert said. “Every year, every time I sign a contract, I always try to leave a little bit for the team, be able to realize that I’m grateful to be able to play on what I’m earning.
Being from where I come from, it’s an amazing blessing, and at the same time, being able to not be too greedy and leave some on the table for our competitiveness as a team. I think it’s important. I’m grateful that I’ve had great people around me.”
Gobert played his first nine NBA seasons with the Jazz before the Timberwolves traded for him, which cost them several players — including current Lakers swingman Jarred Vanderbilt — and four first-round draft picks.
The three-time All-Star seems to have been exactly what Minnesota needed from the trade. Last season, he averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks while winning his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award.
Minnesota traded fellow big man Karl-Anthony Towns to New York three weeks ago for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, making Gobert’s play in the paint even more important for the Timberwolves.
“It’s never been about money, but even more at this point in my career, it’s about being where I feel at home and where I can win a championship,” Gobert said. “These guys, from players to coaches to the organization, embraced me and believed in me and gave me the opportunity to be the best version of myself.”
ESPN reported that his new deal includes a player option for 2027-28 and a trade kicker.
