Rudy Gobert re-signs with the Utah Jazz

According to Tim MacMahon and Adrian Wojnarowski, Rudy Gobert has agreed to a 5-year $205M extension with the Utah Jaz.

It’s been a big offseason for the Jazz who have already gotten Donovan Mitchell signed for at least the next four years with his max contract. Now, with Gobert under contract for at least the next 4 years (the fifth year is a player option), Utah has solidified their roster and core.

Though some outside of the Jazz will likely raise their eyebrows at the size of the contract, those who follow the Jazz regularly see how much Gobert matters to everything the Jazz do. The Jazz have made the playoffs the last four years and the common denominator has been Rudy Gobert. Like other superstars in the league, Gobert’s on-court play immediately vaulted the Jazz to a perennial contender. The only difference with Gobert and other superstars is that his defense is where he dominates on the floor where other stars are doing it more on the offensive end.

Even though this is probably more than what the Jazz wanted to pay it was clear that Gobert was going to be offered something next offseason around the max. There were no big free agents left after the signing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and so Utah had to make the move to keep their cornerstone center for years to come.

For Gobert, this gets him the big contract he earned by being one of the most impactful players in the league. It’s not a supermax but it’s close and it rewards him for his franchise-changing play that has been so vital to the Jazz these last 4-5 years.

Utah now moves forward with their core set and will compete for the western conference finals, and beyond, for years to come.