Rudy Gobert recognized that if he picked up his 2025/26 player option that would have been worth close to $47MM, it would have hindered the chances of the Timberwolves re-signing key pieces, including Naz Reid, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Julius Randle. That’s why, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, he sought after a “win-win” deal in re-signing for the three-year, $110MM deal that has an annual average value of $36.7MM.
“My next year contract was really high,” Gobert said. “So being able to allow the team to keep our guys, that was the win for the Timberwolves. But being able to keep me for a longer term was great for both of us.”
According to Krawczynski, Gobert recognizes he has a shot at a championship by sticking with the Timberwolves and continuing to build on the progress the team made last season en route to the Western Conference Finals. From the sound of it, he wasn’t interested in the idea of opting out of current contract and signing elsewhere to chase rings with another team.
The two sides were actually close to not agreeing to a deal, per Krawczynski, as Gobert sought a four-year contract that the Wolves weren’t comfortable offering. But Gobert, mindful of his appreciation for coach Chris Finch, his respect for teammate Anthony Edwards, and the fact that he wanted to help his teammates get paid, ultimately agreed to sign an extension just moments before opening night tipped off.
“It’s never been about money, but even more at this point in my career, it’s about being where I feel at home and where I can win championships,” Gobert said. “These guys, from players to coaches to organization embrace me and believed in me and gave me the opportunity to be the best version of myself on and off the court, and also make me grow.”
The Wolves’ situation serves as an example of how the NBA’s strict guidelines for apron teams are impacting decision making. The team already traded long-time franchise staple Karl-Anthony Towns to shed future salary, and Gobert’s decision to sacrifice short-term money showed he recognized the need for long-term security and a better chance to win and support his teammates in this newer era.
“For him to think about the next person, that’s dope,” Reid said. “That’s really unselfish. I know a lot of people wouldn’t do that, but he would. He’s showing it now. I’m happy that he’s thinking about me and this team. That means he wants to win.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Reid will continue to step more into the spotlight after a successful Sixth Man of the Year campaign last season. In an conversation with Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina, The longest-tenured Timberwolves player discussed the added responsibilities he’ll face with Towns out of the picture. “I’m super comfortable,” Reid said. “Me and KAT do a lot of similar things. With him being here and gone, it’s the same thing for me and the same mentality. I kind of view it as the same thing. More minutes. Same thing, though. Next man up. That’s my mentality.“
- Christian Braun‘s young basketball career has been defined by winning. He claimed three straight state titles in high school, helped Kansas win an NCAA championship in his final collegiate season, then played a role on the Nuggets‘ title team in his NBA rookie season. That all led him to the point of potentially starting as Denver’s shooting guard this season, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post writes. If Braun does start in the team’s Thursday opener, it will mark just his 11th career start.
- Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic found himself often playing alongside the second unit in staggered lineups during the preseason. One of the most natural fits was a lineup that includes Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson and Dario Saric, Jokic is embracing the idea of mixing up the rotations a bit more this season, Durando writes in a separate story. “I think we should do that in a game, just to give teams (a) different look,” Jokic said. “I like it, just to play with somebody else. And why not?“
- Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was highly critical of his team after they lost by 35 points in the season opener to the Warriors, according to Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin. “I didn’t think one guy on our team played well in the game,” Billups said. “Man, it was crazy. It felt like we were two steps slow on everything. Defensively, offensively, we just waited to react to everything, and you can’t do that against a team like that. They beat us at every facet of the game. Every loose ball, they were the first team there. Getting down the floor after makes and after misses. Every single facet of the game, they beat us.“
When will the Billups era end in Portland? It’s obvious that nothing they’re trying is working. Maybe they need to hit a full reset?
They have 4 players that are centers. They have a few good PG and PF but no point guard to run the team. They seemed a disorganized on the court. They need a QB type point guard.
They’ve definitely been a victim of having the 3rd pick in a draft where only two players looked like sure things.
If Billups can’t unlock Scoot’s potential, then they probably should be thinking about a reset. To be honest though, this franchise has been a disappointment for a long time.
Strangely, although he’s injured at the moment, Portland has committed to Shayden Sharp as Scoop’s backcourt mate. Sharp is another A+ athlete, no experience beyond high school, learning basketball basics in the NBA.
It’s gonna get worse before it gets better.
POR has some talented young players, but the tanking mentality is obviously still alive and well there. As long as that’s the case, nothing much good can happen. Ready to win? Congrats! Problem is your roster was developed to lose, or at least not to care about winning vs losing.
Billups’ statement is un-coachlike, but I’m not sure he’s really being allowed to coach the team and/or has any input into the roster. Scoot can’t shoot, which isn’t Billups’ fault or something he can remedy. I suspect Scoot can, but we may never find out as long as he’s being handed playing time regardless. Then again, I’m not sure what options Billups has.
DXC said:
> “Problem is your roster was developed to lose, or at least not to care about
> winning vs losing.”
Well stated. In fact, there are many teams falling into this state, which is WAY harder to exit from than they assume. The same thing is happening in Utah. You can’t tank for more than 1 year, 2 max, without damaging the culture.
As you point out, Billups sounds like he’s being held hostage.