Elite Company: Rudy Gobert Only Top 15 Paid Player in NBA Conference Finals
Rudy Gobert, the center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, is the only player in the NBA’s Top 15 highest-paid athletes to make it to the Conference Finals this year. Even though he has faced a lot of backlash for his huge $205 million 5-year contract, Gobert’s contribution has been key to the Timberwolves’ success in the playoffs.
Gobert’s Impactful Season
Rudy Gobert has made a meaningful impact on the Timberwolves. During the standard season, he maintained an average of 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game in 76 games. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time in his career because of his exceptional defensive skills. During the playoffs, Rudy Gobert has continued to perform well, with an average of 12.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game in 10 games.
The 2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year is… Rudy Gobert!#NBAAwards | #KiaDPOY | @Kia pic.twitter.com/0nlW2ytYYd
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2024
Top Earners Fail to Make Conference Finals
Although Rudy Gobert excelled in the playoffs, other high-paid players did not perform well this season. Stephen Curry, the player with the highest salary of $51.9 million on the Golden State Warriors team, failed to reach the playoffs. Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Bradley Beal, who are among the highest-paid players at $47.6 million, also did not make it to the Conference Finals.
Highest paid player by season:
2018 — Steph Curry, $35M
2019 — Steph Curry, $37M
2020 — Steph Curry, $40M
2021 — Steph Curry, $43M
2022 — Steph Curry, $46M
2023 — Steph Curry, $48M
2024 — Steph Curry, $52M
2025 — Steph Curry, $56M
2026 — Steph Curry, $60MWorth every penny. pic.twitter.com/v6Hqy5gjJk
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 28, 2022
Top 15 NBA Contracts in 2023-24 Season
- Stephen Curry – $51.9 million
- Joel Embiid – $47.6 million
- LeBron James – $47.6 million
- Nikola Jokic – $47.6 million
- Bradley Beal – $47.6 million
- Kevin Durant – $46.4 million
- Damian Lillard – $45.6 million
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – $45.6 million
- Kawhi Leonard – $45.6 million
- Paul George – $45.6 million
- Jimmy Butler – $45.1 million
- Klay Thompson – $43.2 million
- Rudy Gobert – $41 million
- Fred VanVleet – $40.8 million
- Anthony Davis – $40.6 million
The Top 15 contracts in the NBA!
▫️ 10 of the 15 eliminated in Round 1
▫️ 1 of the 15 eliminated in Round 3
▫️ 3 didn’t make the playoffs
▫️ 1 made the Conference Finals(Go Rudy!!) pic.twitter.com/BJxi59xFEu
— NBA ATLAS (@ NBAMuseAcc) (@NBA_ATLAS) May 21, 2024
Timberwolves’ Journey
The Timberwolves’ impressive run to the Conference Finals has been notable, especially due to Gobert’s outstanding defensive displays. Their most recent triumph came in an exciting 98-90 victory against the Denver Nuggets in the seventh game of the Western Conference semifinals. Rudy Gobert’s contribution continues to be important as they get ready to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals is ready to start at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Wednesday, with Gobert and the Timberwolves prepared to extend their successful playoff streak. Gobert’s exclusive status as the sole highest-paid player in the Conference Finals highlights his worth and influence on the game, quieting naysayers and proving the worth of his significant deal.
Out of the top-15 highest paid players this season, only ONE made the conference finals.
And that’s Rudy Gobert. (via @ginnitti) pic.twitter.com/uDglmbAhej
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 21, 2024