After three seasons in the NBA, can we conclude that Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins is a max-contract player? Considering he’s among the best young scorers in the game, some might draw that conclusion. After all, Wiggins did average 23.6 points while shooting at a 45 percent clip from the field last season.
The issue here is that Wiggins is seen as nothing more than a one-dimensional player. He’s not a willing passer, struggles on the boards and remains one of the most-ineffective defensive players in the game.
Despite this, Wiggins just recently indicated that he’s looking for nothing less than a max contract in free agency next summer.
“While Wiggins said that he is taking a ‘day by day’ approach to the contract discussions, he didn’t waver when asked whether he was worthy of a max contract, which could reach $148 million over five years with a starting salary of $25.5 million. ‘I definitely do,’ nothing less,'” Wiggins told The Crossover this week.
Wiggins, 22, is entering the final year of his contract and will become a restricted free agent next summer. He’s also been the subject of trade rumors surrounding Kyrie Irving heading to the Wolves from Cleveland (more on that here).
Minnesota definitely has a decision to make here. Any max offer it would hand Wiggins includes $148 million over five years. On the other hand, the team can potentially add Irving — a more established player — at a lesser cost should it decide to include Wiggins in a trade for the All-Star. Don’t think Wiggins’ contract demands will not play a role in the final decision.