How the Wolves doubling down on their biggest gamble can pay off in a big way

Despite being the most expensive team in the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves haven't looked to shed salary thus far. However, the end of Rudy Gobert's contract might give them the perfect opportunity to do so. Gobert is set to make $46 million or the 2025-26 season but according to the Athletics John Hollinger, he could opt out of his deal and re-sign with the Timberwolves on a far cheaper annual contract. 

That could result in him signing a new three-year, $100 million contract that would pay him until his mid-30s. As Hollinger points out, that would save the Wolves at least $14 million in salary for the 2025-26 season. While that would add at least $32 million in salary for the three seasons after 2024-25, with the cap expected to rise dramatically, it could become a value contract even as he declines between the ages of 32 and 35.

Should the Minnesota Timberwolves re-sign Rudy Gobert to a major contract after next season?

After sending five first-round picks to the Utah Jazz, the Wolves are sort of married to Gobert. Even still, Gobert made a big impact on them last season, winning Defensive Player of the Year and helping the Wolves lead the league in defensive rating. That resulted in Minnesota finishing with the third-best record in the West and making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals.

One thing that bodes well for the Wolves, if they were to re-sign him, is that centers tend to age extremely well so Gobert could still be effective defensively even towards the end of a new deal. With Towns under contract until 2027–28 and Anthony Edwards under contract until 2028–29, re-signing Gobert would also lock him up until 2027–28. That would give Minnesota three more years with that core, assuming that they don't move Towns before then.

Considering that the Western Conference is seemingly up for grabs, locking up that core doesn't seem like such a bad idea, especially if Edwards continues to ascend. Therefore, the Wolves would be wise to lock up Gobert next summer.