Rudy Gobert’s decision to decline his $46 million player option for the 2025-26 season and sign a three-year, $110 million extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves was a strategic move that benefits both parties. For Gobert, it offers long-term security in an uncertain free agency market, while the Timberwolves gain financial flexibility in their quest to stay competitive. This ‘discount’ extension by Rudy Gobert positions the team to keep key players such as Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker while remaining under the second apron.
Gobert is declining his $46.6M player option for 2025-26 and receiving a fresh multiyear extension through 2027-28 – also giving Minnesota significant flexibility next season opting out. Final season has a player option, sources said. https://t.co/elXhX9Tl0v
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2024
NBA Business: Rudy Gobert ‘Discount’ Extension Helps Wolves Make Randle, Reid, NAW Decision
Securing Gobert’s Future in an Uncertain Market
By opting for a three-year extension, Gobert locked in an average annual salary of approximately $36.6 million. While this figure is a step down from his original player option, the Rudy Gobert extension discount ensures the star center receives financial security through 2028. It’s worth noting that Gobert’s market in 2025 free agency would have been murky at best. Few teams have significant cap space next summer, and those that do—including the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets—have already committed to long-term deals with other centers.
The Nets, for example, extended center Nic Claxton to a four-year, $97 million deal, signaling their confidence in him as a long-term solution at the position. Similarly, the Rockets recently committed $185 million over five years to Alperen Sengun, cementing his role as their starting center for the foreseeable future. Other teams, like the Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs, are unlikely to make a big play for Gobert given their current roster constructions and long-term plans.
Even if Gobert had waited until 2026 to enter free agency, there’s no guarantee his market would have improved. With fewer teams likely to offer a max deal, Gobert made the smart move by securing his future now.
A More Tradable Contract for Minnesota
From the Timberwolves’ perspective, Gobert’s new deal is a win on multiple fronts. Not only does the Gobert discount extension provide immediate cap relief, but it also makes his contract more tradable. The final season of his new contract is a player option, meaning that by 2026, his deal could be shopped as an expiring contract depending on his performance and trade value.
In the short term, the team can move Gobert’s contract if needed without significant cap complications. By the second year of the extension, his salary will represent less than 25% of the salary cap, making it easier for the team to explore trade options should his fit with the team change. This newfound flexibility gives the Timberwolves the ability to adapt to Gobert’s evolving role within the team while still managing the cap effectively.
Avoiding the Second Apron
One of the most significant advantages of the Gobert’s discount extension is that it helps the Timberwolves avoid the dreaded second apron—a cap restriction that limits spending for teams with high payrolls. The projected second apron for the 2025-26 season is $207 million, and with Gobert’s extension, the Timberwolves are now approximately $15 million below this threshold.
This allows Minnesota to maintain flexibility and potentially renegotiate deals with key players. For instance, Reid and Randle both have player options for the 2025-26 season. With Gobert’s new deal in place, the team could convince either or both to opt out of their options and sign more team-friendly contracts. A hypothetical four-year, $100 million deal for Reid, for example, would keep the Timberwolves below the second apron while retaining a valuable rotation player.
Retaining Fan Favorites: Reid and Alexander-Walker
The Rudy Gobert ‘discount’ extension also opens the door for the Timberwolves to retain fan favorites like Alexander-Walker. With Gobert’s lower salary, the team can re-sign Alexander-Walker without breaching the second apron. A potential hometown discount, in which Alexander-Walker signs for 175% of his current contract with early bird rights (around $7.9 million), could keep him in Minnesota for the near future.
This discount also keeps the door open for the Timberwolves to maintain their current core while potentially re-signing other valuable players. The team’s ability to keep Reid, Randle, and Alexander-Walker on affordable deals ensures they can remain competitive in the Western Conference without overspending.
Rudy Gobert’s Discount Extension Helps The Timberwolves Navigate the Second Apron
Rudy Gobert’s decision to sign a three-year extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves at a discounted rate has far-reaching implications. The Gobert extension not only secures his financial future but also gives the Timberwolves valuable cap flexibility. With this extension, the team can avoid the second apron, retain key players like Reid and Alexander-Walker, and remain competitive in a crowded Western Conference for the next several years. The Timberwolves were two wins away from an NBA final appearance. By prioritizing financial flexibility, the Timberwolves have positioned themselves to keep this window for contention wide open.
