Timberwolves have offered Andrew Wiggins a contract extension
Amid some trade rumors, the Minnesota Timberwolves seem set to commit to Andrew Wiggins long-term.
After news he wants to be traded surfaced, the Minnesota Timberwolves were named as one of Kyrie Irving’s preferred landing spots. But any possible trade with the Cavaliers would probably have to include Andrew Wiggins, and Irving’s fit in Minnesota is questionable.
Wiggins made a bit of news last week when he declared he’s deserving of “nothing less” than a max contract. But that was followed by Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor telling the Minneapolis Star Tribune the team planned to offer Wiggins a max deal, so mutual interest in a long-term commitment seems to be there.
Plans have apparently come to fruition now, at least from the Timberwolves’ end. During an appearance on “The Scoop” podcast with Darren Wolfson of KSTP and 1500 ESPN, Taylor said an extension offer to Wiggins has been made and his agent will be in town later this month.
Taped Glen Taylor for podcast. 1) Wiggins ext. offer made, agent due in town later in month, 2) He's seen new unis. Fans will like. #Twolves
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 1, 2017
The deadline to sign an extension with Wiggins is Oct. 16, but things seem to be moving quickly in that direction with plenty of time to spare. The deal can be worth up to $148 million over five years (starting in 2018-19), so if that’s along the lines of the offer Minnesota has on the table Wiggins’ autograph on the contract is a formality.
Wiggins averaged a career-high 23.6 points per game last season, while boosting his 3-point percent to a relatively average 35.6 percent. But his overall field goal percentage dropped a little bit, with more shots per game (19.1), and he doesn’t play defense or fill the stat sheet (4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, one steal per game last season) to the level his physical tools suggest. But he is still just 22-years-old, with room to grow and mature into a superstar.
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The Wiggins vs. Irving conversation comes down to what one guy (Irving) already is, compared to what the other (Wiggins) can become. The Timberwolves seem ready to buy into Wiggins’ upside.