The Frenchman took a pay cut, opting for long-term stability and enhancing the team's financial flexibility.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has secured a new three-year, $110 million contract extension, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday. The deal was finalized ahead of the team’s season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The contract includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, along with a trade kicker. Gobert declined his $46.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, opting for this fresh agreement with the Timberwolves.
Last season, Gobert posted averages of 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. He anchored Minnesota to a 56-26 record. The Timberwolves secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, their second-best finish in franchise history.
Gobert’s defensive prowess earned him his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, tying NBA legends Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo for the most all-time. He joined the Timberwolves in 2022 after spending nine seasons with the Utah Jazz.
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Rudy Gobert’s new contract provides the Timberwolves with greater financial flexibility for the upcoming offseason. By opting out of his $46.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, the team now has more room to maneuver. His salary for next season is expected to fall between $30 and $35 million, depending on how the deal is structured.
Gobert’s extension reduces the chances of Julius Randle becoming part of the Timberwolves’ future plans. While there had been speculation about Minnesota’s interest in Randle for the long term, this new deal shifts the team’s financial priorities, making a move for him increasingly unlikely.
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