Despite being connected to the trade involving Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Andrew Wiggins is considered to be untouchable by Minnesota Timberwolves team owner Glen Taylor. In an interview with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Taylor said Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns are integral parts of the Timberwolves that they would like to keep for a long time. Taylor considers the Wolves as a long-term contender with both Wiggins and Towns on board. “I think we want to keep these young guys on our team,” he said.
Wiggins’ name surfaced as a possible swap for Irving, who recently demanded a trade from the Cavaliers, saying he wants to be the No.
1 option on offense of a team and not he’s tired of playing second fiddle to LeBron James. Towns and Jimmy Butler met with the Wolves front office and urged them to make a run at Irving, whom they believe will make the team an instant powerhouse in the Western Conference.
Wolves lack tradeable pieces for Irving
The Wolves are among the four teams mentioned by Irving as preferred trade destinations. However, the Wolves lack tradeable pieces that the Cavaliers want, including a blue-chip young player, win-now veterans and trade picks. The Wolves cannot trade point guard Jeff Teague until December 15 because he just joined the team on a three-year deal worth $57 million.
The Wolves emerged as a contender in the West after acquiring Butler and 16th overall pick Justin Patton from the Chicago Bulls for Kris Dunn, Zach Lavine and No.
7 pick Lauri Markkanen. The Wolves also signed three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford and big man Taj Gibson in the offseason. With their current roster, Taylor said the Wolves can give the Golden State Warriors a run for their money once they get into the playoffs. “Once you get there, I think just anything can happen,” he said.
Taylor to sign Wiggins to contract extension
For now, Taylor is focused on signing Wiggins to a contract extension reportedly worth around $150 million. The Wolves have until October 16 to get a deal done with Wiggins, whom they acquired when they shipped Kevin Love to the Cavaliers in 2014. Wiggins, the No. 1 overall pick in 2014, is eligible to sign a five-year maximum “designated” extension under the new labor agreement for players on their rookie contracts. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Wiggins said he is worthy of a maximum contract. Last season, Wiggins averaged 23.6 points and 4.0 boards in 82 regular-season games for the Wolves.
