With the offseason drama surrounding Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, Tom Thibodeau and, to a lesser degree, Andrew Wiggins, the future of all the aforementioned parties and the Timberwolves’ roster was uncertain.
Would Butler or even Towns and Wiggins be moved? Could Thibodeau be on his way out as head coach and president?
With his recent trade request, it seems Jimmy Butler has made at least one of those decision for the Wolves.
The team announced Sunday that Towns had agreed to a multi-year deal, although terms were not released.
League sources told ESPN the agreement was a five-year, $190 million “super-max” extension.
According to sources Towns’ agent, Leon Rose of CAA Sports, informed the Timberwolves of his client’s intention to sign the contract Saturday night.
Towns had this to say in a released statement:
On June 25, 2015, I was drafted to and committed to the Minnesota Timberwolves. On September 22, 2018, I made a recommitment to the Wolves and have the same feelings of excitement that I felt back in 2015.
I promise to the fans, my teammates and the organization to keep the vision of the man who drafted me, Flip Saunders, alive and treat his dream of winning with respect and dignity. To the fans from Day One and the Timberwolves fans, this is for you. Thank you for believing in me.
The super-max deal offers Towns the ability to earn 30% of the Wolves’ salary cap if he does one of these three things:
- makes an All-NBA team ( 1st, 2nd, or 3rd)
- wins league MVP
- wins Defensive Player of the Year
This past season Towns averaged 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
With this signing it is clear that, at least for now, the Timberwolves are choosing Towns and Wiggins over Butler. The only potential remaining domino to possibly fall is Tom Thibodeau.
