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This is great news, Utah Jazz fans. Looks like with the deadline looming they are going to sign Rudy Gobert to a lot of money.
Rudy Gobert is finalizing a four-year, $100M-plus contract extension with the Utah Jazz, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) October 31, 2016
Gobert's four-year deal will land in the $101-102M range, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) October 31, 2016
More on this as we get more details, of course.
EDIT: 4:58 PM ET
We have a cough cough “Confirmation” story here:
The Jazz has agreed to a four-year, $102 million contract extension with center Rudy Gobert, a source told @TheUndefeated.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) October 31, 2016
As it stands, I think this is the smart thing to do, with the cap going crazy because of the TV Deal, and a new “friendly” CBA coming the players’ way, it’s clear that having cap space isn’t all that important unless you have a player to use it on. Don’t believe me? Ask the Dallas Mavericks how happy they were to used theirs on Harrison Barnes. Seriously? Ouch.
Rudy Gobert is one of the most fearsome defenders in the NBA, now playing with healthy point guards for the first time ever he will be a double double machine. NO DOUBT! According to the water cooler this is not a “max” deal, which would have been around $107 million. I haven’t verified that myself, but Dan Clayton knows the numbers. And I trust his research.
Anyway, next step is to get Derrick Favors’ deal done. Then no matter what Gordon Hayward does in the off-season it’s clear that Utah has a very strong interior foundation and will be the envy of almost every team in the league when it comes to the guys they have patrolling the paint.
Rudy is beast. Perhaps now BEA$T ?
EDIT: 5:08 PM ET
Sources: Rudy Gobert agrees to $102M extension with Jazz. @WojVerticalNBA report on @TheVertical. https://t.co/65ENziNes8 pic.twitter.com/a3c7rTCAHy
— The Vertical (@TheVertical) October 31, 2016
From the WOJ article:
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has agreed in principle to a four-year, $102 million contract extension, league sources told The Vertical.
The Jazz will avoid restricted free agency on Gobert in July, when he likely would’ve found an offer sheet for a four-year, $110 million maximum contract. Utah would’ve had the chance to match the deal and keep Gobert, but an agreement now gives Gobert financial peace of mind and could save the Jazz $8 million to $10 million over the course of the deal.
Gobert, 24, has been a remarkable story with Utah, which drafted him 27th overall in 2013. Gobert, a native of France, has developed into one of the dominant shot-blockers and rebounders in the NBA. He’s part of a significant young nucleus with the Jazz that includes Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood, Derrick Favors and Alec Burks.
Great news all around.