Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, has signed a three-year contract extension worth $110 million with the team.
This agreement was made with his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, just before Minnesota’s season opener in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, where Gobert scored 13 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and made one block in a 110-103 loss to the Lakers.
“The goal is still the same. Regardless if we would have had a deal or not, the goal is to win a championship,” Gobert stated.
Gobert, who joined Minnesota in a trade from Utah two years ago, accepted the deal to provide job security while allowing the team to remain competitive under the new luxury tax rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
“I think it was about finding a win-win situation,” Gobert said after the game. “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 being able to allow the team to keep our guys, that was the win for the Timberwolves, but to keep me for a longer term was great for both of us. For me, just giving me a little more stability long term was what we were looking for. I’m really grateful. I’m really happy.”
The 32-year-old Gobert had a player option for $46.6 million for the 2025-26 season in his previous contract, which the new deal replaces. He will now have a player option for the 2027-28 season. This season, Gobert is earning about $43.8 million, while the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals last season for the first time since 2004.
“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 for the Jazz for his first nine NBA seasons before the Timberwolves traded for him, giving up several players, including current Lakers player Jarred Vanderbilt, and four first-round draft picks.
The three-time All-Star has been exactly what Minnesota wanted from that trade. Last season, Gobert averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks while winning his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, helping the Timberwolves achieve the best defensive rating in the league.
Three weeks ago, Minnesota traded fellow big man Karl-Anthony Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, making Gobert’s presence in the paint even more important for the team.
“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.”
