Timberwolves’ owner promises max contract for Andrew Wiggins

The Minnesota Timberwolves are facing a deadline in offering Andrew Wiggins a contract extension and it looks like they will offer him a max deal.

Minnesota has had a productive offseason, re-shaping their roster with the addition of Jimmy Butler. They gave up Ricky Rubio, but added Jeff Teague in exchange. Although their young core wasn’t able to get over the hump and into the playoffs in years past, it finally seems like they might this year.

A key piece of their young nucleus was Andrew Wiggins, who came to the Timberwolves via trade in exchange for Kevin Love. A quiet storyline that’s been attached to Minnesota is the deadline to give rookies their contract extension. It’s on October 16, but will the T’Wolves pony up for Wiggins?

According to their owner, Glen Taylor, Minnesota will definitely give Wiggins the max contract offer he’s looking for and then keep him on their roster. It was reported that the T’Wolves forward could be traded for Kyrie Irving. But that offer might be dead with Wiggins’ extension.

Taylor told the Star Tribune that he will offer the five-year, $150 million extension to Wiggins. He also mentioned to the Associated Press that he wants to sit down with the Wolves’ star before signing the paperwork.

Wiggins has been steadily improving in his NBA career, averaging 23.6 points, 2.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game this past season. His numbers might dip with Butler in the fold, but Wiggins can continue to make an impact on the defensive end.

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The Timberwolves seem to be setting up for the future, with Karl Anthony-Towns as their centerpiece and Butler and Wiggins riding shotgun with him. In a loaded Western Conference, it’ll be a true test to see if they can make the playoffs. But they might have some time to do it, with Wiggins getting his extension soon.