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San Antonio • As he sat at his locker on Sunday night, Rudy Gobert sounded like a man who knew everything was going to work out. Nevermind that a deadline was looming to get a contract extension finalized, Gobert was calm and cool.
"There's no hurry to do anything," he said. "I'm good here. They like me here."
The Utah Jazz do, indeed, like their shot-blocking dynamo.
The Jazz and Gobert were finalizing a four-year extension, league sources confirmed. The deal, worth up to $102 million, was first reported by The Vertical.
Getting a deal done just hours before the league's Oct. 31 deadline to negotiate with players from the 2013 draft class, the Jazz won't have to wait until next summer to lock up their defensive anchor long-term.
And Gobert knows he's staying right where he wants to be.
"I just love the way we've built this team," the man they call the Stifle Tower said a day before the day was finalized. "I love the coach. I love the organization. I think we're going to be great in the near future. That's the main reason why I'd like to stay."
There may have been little doubt Gobert would stick around, but there were questions about just when a deal would get done. If a deal had not been reached, Gobert would have become a restricted free agent in July. As such, he would have been eligible to sign with any team he chose — and the Jazz would have had the option to match.
Waiting until next summer would have kept Gobert's salary cap hold down significantly, but whatever flexibility that would have given the Jazz at the start of free agency was apparently not worth the wait.
The Jazz will have tough financial decisions to make soon enough. Forward Gordon Hayward will be able to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Forward Derrick Favors and guard George Hill could also be candidates for new deals should they be willing to negotiate during the season. Guards Rodney Hood and Danté Exum will be eligible for extensions in a year's time.
But Gobert is central to the Jazz's plans. He is one of the league's premier defenders and his development will be key to Utah's hopes of becoming a serious contender in the Western Conference.
The 24-year-old Gobert is averaging 12 points, 13.1 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.2 assists through the first three games of his fourth NBA season.
Gobert, picked 27th overall in 2013, may have been the steal of that draft. Now, the Jazz will have to pay the price to keep him.
Gobert's deal falls in line similarly with other extensions for the standouts in his draft class. Portland guard C.J. McCollum and the Blazers agreed to a four-year, $106 million extension in July. In Milwaukee, the Bucks and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo came to terms on a four-year, $100 million deal last month.
Gobert's big payday was coming one way or another. Perhaps that's why he seemed unbothered as negotiations moved ahead through the weekend.
"I'm just focused on playing basketball right now and we'll see what happens," Gobert said. "It's exciting, of course. … But I'm more excited about the season than I am about my contract."
Now Gobert and the Jazz can turn their focus back to the basketball court.
Twitter: @aaronfalk —
About Rudy Gobert
Background • Born June 26, 1992, in Saint-Quentin, France. His father, Rudy Bourgarel, played professionally in France.
Acquired • The Jazz's $100 million man was the 27th pick in the 2013 NBA draft. Utah traded a second-round pick and cash to get Gobert from the Denver Nuggets.
Stats • Gobert has averaged 7.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game for his career. This season, however, the dynamic center has taken another leap, averaging 11 points, 12 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.
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About Rudy Gobert
Background • Born June 26, 1992, in Saint-Quentin, France. His father, Rudy Bourgarel, played professionally in France.
Acquired • The Jazz's $100 million man was the 27th pick in the 2013 NBA draft. Utah traded a second-round pick and cash to get Gobert from the Denver Nuggets.
Stats • Gobert has averaged 7.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game for his career. This season, however, the dynamic center has taken another leap, averaging 11 points, 12 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.