Coming off back-to-back conference finals appearances, the Minnesota Timberwolves prioritized their continuity this offseason by re-signing Julius Randle and Naz Reid. Additionally, they dodged the second apron, which priced them out of re-signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker or finding a high-level replacement on the open market. However, Rudy Gobert took a pay cut last October, which quietly allowed the Wolves to re-sign Reid without dipping into the second apron or trading another part of their core.
On a recent episode of The Dane Moore NBA Podcast, Moore and his guest, Kyle Theige, discussed how Gobert taking a pay cut gave Minnesota the flexibility needed to re-sign Reid.
The Wolves offseason was pretty quiet. But that is because Tim Connelly and the front office did most of their work for the 2025 summer about a year ago, in the fall of 2024.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) September 18, 2025
- September 27th, 2024: Trade Towns for Randle and DiVincenzo. This season Towns is making $53M, while… pic.twitter.com/LoScdQjC1p
As Moore noted, in October 2024, Gobert declined his $47 million player option for the 2025-26 season. His new deal became a three-year $110 million contract starting at $35 million in the 2025-26 season. This extra $12 million allowed the Wolves to re-sign Reid to a five-year $125 million extension in the offseason.
Reid had a $15 million player option which he declined. However, with his new contract the Wolves were able to give him a $6 million raise for this upcoming season. Something that wouldn't be possible if Gobert didn't take a pay cut last October. Another portion of the savings from Gobert's pay cut went to rookie center Joan Beringer.
Rudy Gobert is the ultimate team player
Gobert taking this pay cut is undoubtedly a selfless move that benefited the team. Coming off winning his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, Gobert could have easily picked up his player option and had the three-year $110 million deal begin during the 2026-27 season. Nevertheless, Gobert realized how taking a pay cut would help the Wolves ahead of an uncertain 2025 offseason.
If Gobert didn't take a pay cut, it's certainly possible that the Wolves would have lost Reid in free agency. The 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year could have looked elsewhere for more money and/or a bigger role. Alternatively, the Wolves could have dipped into the dreaded second apron to re-sign Reid or traded someone like Donte DiVincenzo.
Overall, Gobert's unselfish move has gone under the radar, but it should be commended.
The Wolves wouldn't be the same team without Naz Reid
If the Wolves had lost Reid, the outlook of this team would have changed. As a big man with a blend of shot creation, shooting, and passing chops, Reid's skill set is rare. To attempt to replace that on the open market (while still having a high payroll) would be challenging. Reid gives the Wolves a much-needed scoring spark and a unique element off the bench.
Over the past few years, Reid has been one of the Wolves' most consistent scoring options. With Reid, Gobert, and Randle, the Wolves have one of the most versatile and talented frontcourts. The Wolves simply wouldn't be the same team without Reid, and it's fair to credit Gobert for the franchise being able to afford him.