The Minnesota Timberwolves have inked a surprise three-year, $110 million contract extension with Defensive Player of the Year center Rudy Gobert, sources have informed Shams Charania of ESPN.
Gobert first arrived in Minnesota as part of a blockbuster 2022 offseason trade that saw Timberwolves team president Tim Connelly take a big swing, offloading serious future draft equity in a deal with the Utah Jazz. The 7-foot-1 standout has had his struggles in the postseason and offensively is just limited to scoring around the rim, but he remains a significant regular season threat.
The Timberwolves have enjoyed an active offseason this summer. The team traded to acquire the rights to No. 8 draft pick Rob Dillingham out of Kentucky, then ditched four-time All-Star power forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s been with the club since he was drafted first overall in 2015. In sending Towns to the New York Knicks, Minnesota brought back three-time All-Star power forward Julius Randle, two-way shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, and a future first round draft pick.
Connelly’s decision to extend Gobert now is a clear indicator that he is confident the three-time All-Star big man will be a core piece for this club. Last year, led by Gobert, Towns and All-NBA shooting guard Anthony Edwards, Minnesota posted a stellar 56-26 overall record and advanced all the way to Western Conference Finals.
This article will be updated…
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