The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to build off their 2023-24 Western Conference Finals run, and they will do it with Rudy Gobert anchoring the paint, at least for the foreseeable future.
Rudy Gobert is eligible for an extension, as he is approaching the final guaranteed year of his current deal. The Stifle Tower will earn roughly $44 million in the 2024-25 season, and he has a player option of $46.7 million for 2025-26.
According to Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Tim Connelly, he expects the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year to be with the team for a “very long time.”
“We’d love Rudy to be here for a very long time. We’re still in the middle of free agency. We haven’t jumped in deeper beyond that. Obviously we’re not here without Rudy, and we hope this is Rudy’s last stop,” Connelly said via Chris Hine of the Star Tribune.
In his second year with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game on 66.1 percent shooting from the field in 76 regular-season games. He averaged 12.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs on 61.5 percent shooting.
Minnesota Timberwolves have been busy this summer
The Minnesota Timberwolves retooled their roster by adding Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr. (via the 2024 NBA Draft) and Joe Ingles and PJ Dozier (via free agency) to one-year contracts. They also signed Luka Garza to a two-year extension.
In the process, they oversaw the free agency departures of Kyle Anderson to the Golden State Warriors and Monte Morris to the Phoenix Suns, and they traded Wendell Moore Jr. to the Detroit Pistons.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have their work cut out for them, as they will look to strengthen their roster further while finding a way to get out of the dreaded second apron to avoid harsh roster penalties.
