T-Wolves, Gobert agree to reported 3-year, $110M extension

Four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert has agreed to a three-year, $110-million extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday.

The new contract includes a player option for 2027-28 and a trade kicker, Charania adds.

This extension means the French center has declined his $46.6-million player option for next season, according to Spotrac's Keith Smith.

Gobert confirmed the deal following the T-Wolves' 110-103 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I think it was about finding a win-win situation," Gobert told reporters, including Greg Beacham of The Associated Press. "I'm happy here. My family is happy here. I want to win a championship here - and also, my next year's contract was really high.

"So (it was) about to allow the team to keep our guys, and also that was the win for the Timberwolves, but to keep me for a longer term was great for both of us. And also just giving me more stability long-term, I think, was what we were looking for."

Gobert, 32, is tied with Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo for the most Defensive Player of the Year awards in NBA history. Last season, the 7-foot-1 center averaged 14 points and 12.9 rebounds in 76 games and helped anchor the Timberwolves' league-best defense.

Gobert won a silver medal with France at the 2024 Paris Games where he averaged just 3.3 points and four rebounds in six contests.

Gobert will have a new frontcourt partner this season after the Timberwolves traded forward Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for three-time All-Star Julius Randle at the end of September.