http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2722896-andrew-wiggins-timberwolves-agree-to-
5y/148m
Minnesota Timberwolves star Andrew Wiggins won't be hitting restricted free agen
Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune reported it's a 5-year, $148 million max extensi
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor discussed the decision, "Andrew is one of the bes
Wiggins, 22, set has continued to show improvement on the offensive end, posting
Minnesota Timberwolves star Andrew Wiggins won't be hitting restricted free agen
Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune reported it's a 5-year, $148 million max extensi
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor discussed the decision, "Andrew is one of the best players in the NBA and he has the talent and work ethic to get even better and be a foundation for our franchise for many years."
Wiggins, 22, set has continued to show improvement on the offensive end, posting a career high 23.6 points per game last season. While his defensive impact continues to be an issue, he has the athleticism to eventually become an excellent player on that end of the floor.
As Bobby Marks of ESPN noted, "[Tom] Thibodeau told ESPN that Wiggins' goal for the 2017-18 season should be to become a 'complete player' and said trade acquisition Jimmy Butler could help with that development."
Indeed, Wiggins has paired with Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns to give the Timberwolves one of the most intriguing cores in the Western Conference. That trio is expected to lead the team to a postseason berth, and if Butler ultimately decides to remain with the team for the long term—he's under contract through the 2018-19 season, with a player option in 2019-20—the Timberwolves have championship upside in the coming years.
Butler seemed excited to join the team's young talent in his introductory press conference in June.
"These guys can really play, put the ball in the basket," Butler said, per AJ Neuharth-Keusch of USA Today. "We're gonna guard, we're gonna get out in transition. ... We're gonna be tough. We're gonna be tough."
Wiggins gives the Wolves one of the best third options in the NBA, and the trio should give opposing defenses nightmares. The team will go as far as the defense develops, however, which was one of the major factors that limited them to a 31-51 record last year.
Up next in extension talks will likely be Karl-Anthony Towns, who will be eligible to sign a maximum designated extension after this season. With Wiggins already in tow for the long haul, Towns almost assuredly will follow suit next offseason.