Just before tip-off to the Minnesota Timberwolves' opening night game against the Los Angeles Lakers, it was reported that center Rudy Gobert and the team had agreed to a three-year, $110 million contract extension. The deal — first reported by ESPN's Shams Canaria — locks up Gobert through the 2072-28 season. It also provides the team some breathing room financially, as the franchise was already facing some luxury tax issues.
Minnesota made the move to lock up its big man after trading another one away last month. Related: Report: Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert signs 3-year, $110M contract extension Karl-Anthony Towns had presented a financial restraint in the future with his max deal, so Minnesota traded him to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita-Bates Diop and a 2025 protected first round pick via the Detroit Pistons. Gobert told reporters on Wednesday the extension is "an amazing blessing.
" "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," Gobert said, via The Athletic 's Jon Krawczynski . Related: Timberwolves' slow start spoils late comeback in opening night loss to Lakers Now that the Gobert deal is out of the way, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly has made it clear what's next for the franchise: contract extensions for Naz Reid and Nickeil-Alexander Walker. Both players are set to be free agents next season.
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