Rudy Gobert agrees to a three-year extension before the Timberwolves’ season opener

Rudy Gobert was named Kia Hakeem Olaju’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time last season.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) – Minnesota Timberwolves center and four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert has agreed to a three-year, $110 million contract extension with the team.

EXTENDED. 💪 pic.twitter.com/6GBOAOrXJD

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 25, 2024

The deal was struck with his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, just before Minnesota opened the season Tuesday night in Los Angeles, when Gobert had 13 points, 14 rebounds and a block for the Timberwolves in a 110-103 loss to the Lakers.

“The goal is still the same. Regardless of whether we had a deal or not, the goal is to win a championship,” Gobert said.

Gobert, acquired from Minnesota in a trade with Utah two years ago, took advantage of the additional job security in exchange for a contract structure that allows the team to be more competitive under the new collective bargaining agreement’s strict luxury tax rules.

“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 besides, my contract for next year was really big. Allowing the team to keep our guys was a win for the Timberwolves, but keeping me long-term was great for both of us. For me it was just what we wanted in the long run to have a little more stability. I’m really grateful. I’m really happy.”

The 32-year-old Gobert had a $46.6 million player option for 2025-26 in his previous contract, which the new deal waives. He will now have a player option for 2027-28. Gobert is making about $43.8 million this season with the Timberwolves, who reached the Western Conference finals last season for the first time since 2004.

“I think it’s about finding a balance,” Gobert said. “Every year, every time I sign a contract, I always try to leave a little bit to the team, to realize that I am grateful to be able to play with what I earn. Coming from where I live, it is an incredible blessing and at the same time an opportunity to not be too greedy and leave something on the table for our competitiveness as a team. I think it’s important. I’m grateful that I had great people around me.”

Gobert spent his first nine NBA seasons with the Jazz before the Timberwolves acquired him in a trade that cost them several players – including current Lakers swingman Jarred Vanderbilt – and four first-round draft picks.

The three-time All-Star was exactly what Minnesota was looking for with this deal. 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 and helping the Timberwolves lead the league in defensive rating.

Minnesota traded fellow big man Karl-Anthony Towns to New York three weeks ago in a deal for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, making Gobert’s interior game even more valuable to the Timberwolves.

“It’s never been about money, but at this point in my career it’s even more about being somewhere I feel at home and can win a championship,” Gobert said. “These guys, from the players to the coaches to the organization, embraced me and believed in me and gave me the opportunity to be the best version of myself.”

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AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell in Minneapolis contributed to this report.