LOS ANGELES (AP) — Center Rudy Gobert confirmed Tuesday night that he has reached a contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

ESPN and other media outlets reported earlier Tuesday that Gobert is receiving a three-year, $110 million contract extension with Minnesota, which acquired the French big man in a trade with Utah in 2022.

Gobert did not confirm the details of the deal after the Timberwolves lost 110-103 for the Los Angeles Lakers in the season opener, but the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year acknowledged his excitement about staying in Minnesota while crafting his new contract to help his team become more competitive.

“I think it was about finding a win-win situation,” he said. “I’m happy here. My family is happy here. I want to win a championship here – and besides, my contract for next year was really big. So allowing the team to keep our guys was close, and that was also the win for the Timberwolves, but keeping me longer-term was great for both of us. And I think that we were just trying to give me more stability in the long term.

“I’m really grateful, I’m really happy and now the goal is still the same. Regardless of whether we had a deal or not, the goal is to win a championship.”

Gobert, 32, had a $46.6 million player option for 2025-26 in his previous contract. His new contract overrides that option and extends his commitment to the Timberwolves, who reached the Western Conference finals for the first time in two decades last season.

“I think it’s about finding a balance,” Gobert said. “Every year, every time I sign a contract, I always try to leave a little bit to the team, to realize that I am grateful to be able to play with what I earn. Coming from where I live, it is an incredible blessing and at the same time an opportunity to not be too greedy and leave something on the table for our competitiveness as a team. I think it’s important. I’m grateful that I had great people around me.”

Gobert spent his first nine NBA seasons with the Jazz before the Timberwolves acquired him in a trade that cost them several players – including current Lakers swingman Jarred Vanderbilt – and four first-round draft picks.

The three-time All-Star appears to be exactly what Minnesota wanted with the deal. Last season, he averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks and won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award.

Minnesota traded its big colleague Karl-Anthony Towns to New York three weeks ago in a deal for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, making Gobert’s interior game even more valuable to the Timberwolves.

“It’s never been about money, but at this point in my career it’s even more about being somewhere I feel at home and can win a championship,” Gobert said. “These guys, from the players to the coaches to the organization, embraced me and believed in me and gave me the opportunity to be the best version of myself.”

ESPN reported that his new contract includes a player option for 2027-28 and a trade kicker.

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