"I am excited about this new adventure, about the very talented team and about what we can do. The most important thing for me is to continue to grow, to be the best leader possible and obviously to win", summed up the French pivot of 2.16 m, wearing his new white and blue jersey flocked with his favorite number 27.
Aged 30, the triple best defender in the League (2018, 2020, 2021), finalist of the last Olympics and Euro with France, will change as much environment as system of play in Minnesota, where he will form a duo of interiors scrutinized with star Karl-Anthony Towns.
"In Utah, we very often played with four shooters around me. But I always liked to play with a big one, because I like to pass the ball. I can find (outside) players too, put screens... I know I can make others better," he said.
"We talked a lot with (coach) Chris Finch, about what I can bring. I intend to be the best I can be on both sides of the pitch, he will know how to make it all work. I already like the way he wants to use me," he said.
In early July, Gobert was traded between Minnesota and Utah which received five players (Patrick Beverley since gone to the Lakers, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler) and four first-round draft picks in the years to come.
A transfer which maintains the emoluments of his mega-contract signed in December 2020 (205 million dollars over 5 years) with the Jazz, guaranteeing him an annual salary of more than 38 million dollars (39.6 M EUR).
Gobert, who has spent his entire NBA career, which began in 2013, in Utah (12.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks on average), has never passed the stage of the Western Conference semi-finals (2017, 2018 and 2021) in the play-offs.
Like the Salt Lake City team, the Minnesota team also went out in the first round last season.
Its best run, since its creation in 1989, led it to the conference final in 2004.
© 2022 AFP