Jazz ink Gobert to 5-year, $205M extension
Another big name is off the board for next summer's free agency.
Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert agreed to a five-year, $205-million contract extension, he told ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
The deal is the largest for a center in NBA history and the third-most overall behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Russell Westbrook.
Gobert's new contract includes a player option for the fifth year, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
"It means that they believe in me," Gobert told MacMahon. "They believe in what we've been building over the years with this whole organization, with (head) coach (Quin Snyder) and all the guys.
"For me, it's an incredible blessing. It's a very motivating feeling to know that we all share the same vision and we all share this goal for this state and for this franchise."
Utah now has both of its franchise cornerstones locked in long term. The Jazz inked budding star Donovan Mitchell to a maximum rookie extension worth $195 million over five years earlier in the offseason.
As a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-NBA selection, Gobert was eligible for a supermax extension. However, the Frenchman opted to take less money to give the club more financial flexibility around his and Mitchell's mega-deals.
"I want to win, and I feel like leaving this money on the table for the team just to be able to have better talent around me and Donovan was really important," Gobert said. "I want to win, and I believe in this group and I believe in this organization, and I was willing to leave that money on the table for them."
The Denver Nuggets selected Gobert 27th overall in 2013 and subsequently traded him to the Jazz on draft night. He has developed into one of the NBA's most feared rim-protectors, finishing within the Association's top five in blocks on four occasions.
The 28-year-old has been equally vital to Utah's offense. Gobert led the league in screen assists points per game in each of the previous four seasons.
Gobert averaged 15.1 points, 13.5 boards, and two blocks during the 2019-20 campaign to earn his first All-Star appearance.