Timberwolves Remain Very Interested in Rudy Gobert Extension
By Ted Schwerzler,
2024-08-29
Mar 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after fouling out during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off their most successful season in recent history. Anthony Edwards continues to trend towards being the face of the league , as Chris Finch’s squad looks to take another step toward an NBA Championship.
Rudy Gobert with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the long haul
Timberwolves president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, traded a boatload of assets to the Utah Jazz, for Rudy Gobert. His first year in Minnesota was full of growing pains, but he bounced back in a major way in 2023-24.
Last season, Rudy averaged 14 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award. As Tim Connelly builds his squad moving forward, he wants Gobert to be a part of it. According to local insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson , the Wolves want to sign the big man to an extension.
“Definite interest in extending Rudy Gobert. Gobert wants to finish his career here [Minnesota]. The Wolves have a great relationship, as Tim [Connelly] told me, with Rudy’s representation. I’m not suggesting anything is on the cusp of happening, but definite interest.”
It makes plenty of sense for the Timberwolves to keep Rudy Gobert around. Connelly made a substantial investment in the French center, and the current Wolves core, built around Edwards, has already proven it can climb the Western Conference playoff mountain. Not only that, but a new deal would likely lower his 2024-25 financial burden that his current max contract calls for.
A championship may have escaped Minnesota last spring, but that doesn’t mean Connelly & Co should start tearing down the roster. What an extension would look like for Gobert, at 32-years-old , remains to be seen. It would more than likely be a decrease from his current maximum salary.
Minnesota Timberwolves frontcourt faces a big year
Naz Reid has long been a fan-favorite and he will continue to be an incredibly productive player in the NBA, but his best minutes remain off the bench. Karl-Anthony Towns has his warts, but Finch has gotten the most out of his unicorn big man. All eyes turn to Rudy Gobert.
Anthony Edwards is the superstar of Minnesota’s franchise, and the more they can build around him the better. Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. will put their best feet forward trying to accomplish that this season. The frontcourt is well-established though, and that group needs to continue playing at a high level.
If the Timberwolves are going to take the next step this season, they will need to be at their best on the margins. Edwards got exposure to elite talents during Olympics competition . Gobert was there as well, but didn’t have the best showing.
He’ll need to get back to himself for the regular season, and a fourth Defensive Player of the Year award would signify positive results for Minnesota. As much as Edwards matters for the overall talent of the roster, his big men must come through as well.
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