Like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jazz center Rudy Gobert is eligible to sign a five-year, super-max extension by December 21. However, despite the fact that Gobert and the Jazz are discussing a new deal, a super-max extension doesn’t appear to be a realistic outcome.
“I have been told that he did not ask for the full super-max,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said of Gobert during an appearance on Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast (hat tip to RealGM). “I know there has been some reporting in Utah that he did. I’ve been told that is not true. That he did not ask for the full super-max.
“I don’t know what neighborhood the Jazz are in. There’s a gulf there. We will see if that gap is closed before the super-max extension deadline. He can also do a lesser extension during the season.”
Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune (audio link) and Porter Larsen of Utah’s ESPN 700 (Twitter link) have both suggested that Gobert’s camp has sought a super-max extension (starting at 35% of the 2021/22 cap), while the Jazz countered with something in the range of his “normal” max (120% of his current $27.5MM salary).
However, it’s not entirely clear where that report originated. Porter Larsen appeared today to credit Andy Larsen (Twitter links), while Andy added an “if reports are accurate” caveat when discussing those figures (Twitter link). MacMahon’s comments on Windhorst’s podcast cast further doubt on whether Gobert’s asking price was ever that high.
In any case, it seems safe to assume that the two sides are attempting to reach an agreement on a potential extension and that the Jazz are likely unwilling to commit to a full super-max contract for Gobert. Such a deal would be worth over $228MM, which is more appropriate for a two-time MVP like Antetokounmpo than a player like Gobert, who is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year but isn’t a perennial MVP candidate.
An extension worth Gobert’s standard max (rather than the super-max) would be worth approximately $148MM over four years, which seems more palatable for the Jazz. It’s less than what Gobert could get from Utah if he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer, but it would top what a rival team could offer him at that point ($145MM for four years).
If the Jazz are serious about getting a deal done sooner rather than later, they’ll likely need to offer something in that range, since the expectation is that there will be other clubs willing to make Gobert that sort of offer in free agency in 2021, Windhorst said today on the Hoop Collective podcast.
“I think if he doesn’t get extended, there will be a handful of teams that will line up ready to pay him the max,” Windhorst said. “So the Jazz should know that and they should operate that way. If they want to haggle on certain aspects of the contract (they can), but– it’s not the super-max, but I don’t think they’re getting away without giving him the max.”
As MacMahon noted, while December 21 is the super-max extension deadline, Gobert and the Jazz could continue discussing a standard extension into the regular season.
I wouldn’t overpay hobert. Bump in performance typical for contract year. Have a feeling once he gets paid he also gets older and he will come down to earth as another agins center. That’s my opinion either take it or leave it.
Take or leave what? No proposal offered
He’s a good player but points matter. Giannis puts up 30 a game and takes games over. Gobert isn’t that much better then a player like Brooke Lopez. Utah let’s players walk usually
I think mostly I will “Take” your opinion. Is the normal Max extension fair then? He’s great at what he does, and Jazz fans would hate to see him leave.
Is it fair? Sure. Guess it depends on his relationship with spiderman. Supposedly there was tenchon last year but havent heard much since the bubble. He is hard to replace in some ways, just question his commitment and whether the money is better spent elsewhere. Then again in the west bigs are big.
Could be another hayward type to leave when not maxed out. Someone will max him out it just won’t be the cash strapped jazz
True again guess it depends on his relationship with the team esp new owner and whether he thinks jazz have a shot or if he just wants to chase the money. I agree if jazz dont pay him someone else definitely will
I think he and Conley are dealt.
Id look to resign him if I were Utah
So hard for them to attract big names and Rudy right now is the biggest fish to catch next year
Not 100% grounded on Utahs roster but do they even have anyone in the wings waiting at center?
Favors and Doke. Both are defensive bigs. They also just signed Tre Scott who played center in college a lot. He’s a Draymond Green / Siakim type.
If i was the Jazz id move on from him…dudes so overrated and soft…not worth a supermax..will be like when the Knicks signed Noah to a big contract
I don’t get all those people saying Jazz should move on from Gobert. Jazz defense is designed around his exceptional and irreplaceable rim protection. Jazz could let have cap room next summer by letting Conley and Gobert walk, but the next best big men on the market are Aldridge, Griffin, and Drummond, and none of them are close to Gobert’s level. None of the other top rim protectors on the trade market, either. Moving on from him would mean a sizeable downgrade at center. 37 millions per year is an overpay, but it is not that outrageous considering this is the contract that covers through a top 3 DPOY candidate through his prime.
Gobert has value, but he’s definitely not worth the super-max or even the standard max contract.
You give the max to those high-scoring, can-also-defend superstars like Giannis, AD.
His current 25M/year sounds about right for him.
I would hope Gobert and his team see that it’s in their best interest to not ask for the Supermax. The Jazz have always been very crafty at using all available cap space to sign their needs / trades.
Crippling the cap space would lessen their future chances at improving the roster if they needed to get an improvement at another spot.
Gobert’s recent comments suggest that he’s committed to competing for a championship with the Jazz for the next few years. He talked about that limited window of opportunity. Sounds like they just have to find the right number both sides need to feel happy.
Imagine if his name was Ernie GoBert lol then he get that PBS money and ball 4 free
His offense did not improve and some complain his efforts are a distraction. If the Jazz don’t sign him he might try to hard to boost his numbers and be more INefficient instead. Tough situation. 4/$90, a reduction, which he won’t sign.
Well, if it becomes a problem then the Jazz are positioning themselves to be less dependant on him.
I do like what he brings to the Jazz. I’m just concerned if we give everyone the max/supermax then we’ll have no wiggle room for keeping the other players/young players we want to keep or sign to bolster the roster.