Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has officially signed a three-year, $110 million contract extension, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. The agreement was reached just before the Timberwolves faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in their season opener.
According to sources, Gobert’s agent, Bouna Ndiaye, negotiated the extension, securing the four-time Defensive Player of the Year’s place in Minnesota. Gobert opted out of a $46.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season to finalize this new deal, which averages $36.6 million per season. This nearly $10 million savings will greatly assist the Timberwolves in their team-building efforts, avoiding issues related to exceeding the second salary cap apron.
The contract includes a player option for the 2027-28 season and features a trade kicker if the Timberwolves choose to move Gobert in the future. Last season, he averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
With Karl-Anthony Towns traded away this summer, Gobert is now positioned as the team’s long-term starting center. His defensive prowess is well-established, as seen during his time with the Utah Jazz. However, concerns about his playoff performance linger, particularly after he struggled against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 Western Conference Finals, allowing center Dereck Lively II to score effortlessly.
Despite these concerns, Gobert is expected to help the Timberwolves maintain a competitive regular-season record, as he has done throughout his career. With a clear role as the primary center, he should feel more at ease without having to share the frontcourt with Towns.
