Minnesota Timberwolves negotiating Andrew Wiggins extension despite Kyrie Irving trade rumors

The Minnesota Timberwolves are working on a contract extension with Andrew Wiggins to keep the young small forward in Minneapolis.

This offseason has been a roller coaster for Andrew Wiggins in regards to his future as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. For the most part, the Timberwolves appear optimistic about the 22-year-old playing for the Wolves and content with his development. Despite that, his name continues to pop up as trade bait every time a new trade opportunity arises.

Wiggins was discussed as a trade possibility earlier when the Timberwolves expressed interest in trading for Jimmy Butler. The Chicago Bulls were seeking young stars to rebuild with therefore Wiggins made sense.

Despite those rumors, the Wolves acquired Butler at a bargain. They parted ways with Zach LaVine Kris Dunn and their 2017 first round draft pick. Wiggins went into the 2017 NBA Draft as a trade asset for Butler. Draft night ended with Wiggins as a big part of the new Big Three with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler.

It didn’t take long for Wiggins trade rumors to start again after the Butler trade. On July 21, news broke that Kyrie Irving wanted out of Cleveland and listed the Minnesota Timberwolves as a team he was interested in playing for. Almost immediately, the main topic of discussion became about a potential trade of Andrew Wiggins for Kyrie Irving.

There are many reasons why the Wolves will not make this trade, but it is still a constant annoyance hanging over Andrew Wiggins’ head. The Timberwolves were able to acquire Jimmy Butler without dealing Wiggins. It’s hard to fathom a trade where they move Wiggins for Irving. Additionally, this trade leaves them in a positional nightmare at the wing. Jon Krawczynski points that out in the following tweet.

Wolves locking up Wiggins

The Timberwolves organization has not shown any indication that they will include Andrew Wiggins in a trade anytime soon. It is reported by Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com that the Wolves are continuing extension talks with Wiggins despite the Kyrie Irving trade rumors.

That makes trading Wiggins for Irving appear unlikely at this point. The Timberwolves can still trade Wiggins after signing a long-term deal, but look committed to him at this point. That isn’t saying that the Wolves will not pursue Kyrie Irving, but rather, they will look to acquire him in a similar way to how they got Jimmy Butler.

A new incentive-based contract will be good for both parties as Wiggins further develops in Minnesota over the coming years. Scooby Axson of Sports Illustrated reported the following on a potential new contract for Wiggins:

"“If the team signs Wiggins to an extension, the deal would kick in at the start of the 2018 season and could possibly pay Wiggins $30 million a season if he were to make an All-NBA team or named Defensive Player of the Year. “"

A contract like this will push him to improve his biggest weakness from last season, which was defense. It will also encourage him to play at an All-Star level, which he is capable of doing.  Wiggins has the ability to play good defense. He just has to do it.

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Expect Kyrie Irving trade rumors to continue this offseason. In the meantime, the Wolves continue to improve their bench and take care of the players already under contract. Locking up Wiggins to a long-term deal will be a big win for the Minnesota Timberwolves.