It’s rather fun at Minnesota Timberwolves headquarters these days. While one All-Star, forward Jimmy Butler, is looking for a trade, another All-Star is getting paid. Timberwolves announced on Monday that they have agreed to a five-year supermax extension with center Karl-Anthony Towns. The deal is reportedly worth around $190 million.
Remember September 23, 2018 as one of the most important days in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/CCBUM4Mqvl
— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) September 24, 2018
“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,” said Towns in a statement. “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.”
Karl-Anthony Towns was selected as the No.1 overall pick by the Timberwolves in 2015 and quickly went on to become the franchise’s cornerstone. He won the 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year and managed to help the team last season to reach playoffs for the first time in 13 years. In 2017-18, Towns averaged 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
While Towns is maybe the future of Minnesota Timberwolves, he certainly played a part in weakening the team for the present since the 22-year-old is believed to be one of the primary reasons for why Jimmy Butler wants out.
Butler, who was the team’s best player last year, asked for a trade last week and is unwilling to play in Minnesota anymore. The Timberwolves are most likely to go with his wishes since he is set to become a free agent next summer and could leave for free.
