As expected, Andrew Wiggins is seeking a maximum salary contract extension in negotiations with the Timberwolves. Speaking to Ben Golliver of SI.com, Wiggins said he’s taking a “day by day” approach to contract talks. Asked if he believes he’s worth the max though, the former No. 1 overall pick replied, “I definitely do. Nothing less.”
[RELATED: Players eligible for rookie scale extensions in 2017]
Based on current salary cap projections for the 2018/19 season, Wiggins would be eligible to earn up to nearly $148MM on a five-year extension that would run through the 2022/23 campaign. The two sides are reportedly engaged in discussions on a potential deal, though as I noted last Friday when I examined Wiggins’ case for a new deal, it’s not clear if the Wolves have been willing to put that five-year max on the table.
Wiggins’ case for a max extension is an interesting one. He’s still just 22 years old, and is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 23.6 PPG. However, the fourth-year forward has been somewhat one-dimensional so far in his career — his defense has been uninspiring, and he doesn’t rebound or distribute the ball particularly well. He was also an unreliable outside shooter before upping his 3PT% to a more impressive .356 in 2016/17.
Nonetheless, given his scoring ability and his overall potential, Wiggins would almost certainly attract at least one maximum offer in restricted free agency in 2018. If he’s not willing to accept less than the max, the Wolves may have to decide whether it’s worth rolling the dice on the 22-year-old’s upside sooner rather than later, locking him up for as long as possible rather than risking another team giving him an offer sheet in 2018 that allows him to reach unrestricted free agency early.
Amidst Wiggins’ extension discussions, rumors of the Timberwolves’ interest in Kyrie Irving continue to swirl, and there’s a belief that it would be difficult for Minnesota to get a deal done without including Wiggins in its package. So far though, there has been no indication whether the Wolves are willing to include him in their offer, or how that would affect extension talks.
RIP cap space…Wiggins being a little selfish
Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
What a team player!
What a fool
Can’t fault him for asking.. also if the team doesn’t agree with what he wants they can let him become a RFA and market decides. This is why NBA is dumb, with the cap you have crap players making a ton of money so when you have a great player or in case like Wiggins a young player that has more room to grow why would be lock himself up early unless it’s a deal he likes? What someone gets paid should not dictate if someone is a team player or not.
Well he could take a short term deal, but even for a guy like Wiggins the financial security is tough to pass up.
Wiggins will be the best in the league 2020
Rose was looking for max deal 2 years ago and look at him now? 2 mil vet minimum which just crushed him and his agents egos
Rose could have easily got 12-15 mil if he wanted.
Rose has glass knees.
How is it having a ego ? the whole point of working is too make as much money as you possibly can.
You also have to be realistic about your prospects. And while it looks professionally like D-Rose is in a good place, financially he did awful in today’s NBA
I would put a package together immediately and around Wiggins and draft picks for Irving. Paying Wiggins close to 30 million a year for five years is too much out of Cap for your third best player.
Kyrie at 19 mil for three years gives us more flexibility down the road.
The people saying that Wiggins is selfish are dead wrong. With the contracts that guys like Allen Crabbe are getting as restricted free agents, it’s completely understandable that Wiggins is deserving of a max in this market.
And there are a lot of people that criticize Durant for being unselfish and taking less money to keep the Warriors together because they think he should get the money he thinks he deserves…make up your minds. There’s nothing wrong with chasing money if you’ve earned it.
And I’m a Cavs fan so I’m not overly willing to defend Durant unless it’s totally necessary hahahaha
It’s already enough money, might as well not take the max and help out your team a little tho
The money ANY of these guys get is sick!! It’s a game!! Why does one individual need 30+ million dollars a year for? I’ll watch and cheer for my team but I won’t go to a game that I have to pay over $100 for the 3rd or 4th level seats and nor will I pay over $200 for “authentic” merchandise to support these types of greedy selfish salaries. I remember back in the late ’80’s or early ’90’s when Gary Gaetti signed with the Angels for 3 years for 4.3 million. He took a lot of crap for a huge contract like that. It’s out of control. In less than 5 years you’ll see guys getting $100 million a year and the average guy will never be able to experience a professional sports event. Disgusting.
If you think these salaries are unexplainable you’d hate to see what they’re making in the financial and business sectors
I know what they make there…legal robbery is what it is