Wiggins inks contract extension with Timberwolves

CHICAGO: Andrew Wiggins has signed a five-year contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA club announced on Wednesday, tying down the 22-year-old forward through the 2022/23 campaign.

The deal, reportedly for the maximum $148 million (12.7m euros) and starting next year, adds security for the club after a stellar campaign for the 2014 top pick in the NBA Draft on a team that finished 31-51.

“I’m very excited to continue my career with the Timberwolves,” Wiggins said. “We’ve had some good times over the last three seasons, but the best is yet to come. I look forward to doing right by them and bringing this team to the post-season.”

Wiggins scored a career-high 23.6 points, grabbed 4.0 rebounds, tossed out 2.3 assists in 82 games last season, sinking a careerbest 103 3-pointers on a careerhigh 35.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

“Andrew is one of the best young players in the NBA and he has the talent and work ethic to get even better and be a foundation for our franchise for many years,” Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said.

Wiggins, the 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year after being drafted by Cleveland and traded to Minnesota in a deal for Kevin Love, has averaged 20.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 245 career NBA games.

Only LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony scored more points before their 22nd birthday than Wiggins.

“He is just scratching the surface of the player he will become,” T-Wolves coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau said. “Andrew is among the elite young talents in our league and the sky is the limit for him.” - AFP