Wiggins says he's worth 'nothing less' than the max
Andrew Wiggins isn't playing around.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are aiming to extend the former Rookie of the Year award winner, but the price is not negotiable. Wiggins wants nothing less than the maximum, which could be worth $150 million over five seasons.
Ben Golliver of The Crossover asked Wiggins if he felt like he deserved a maximum deal, to which Wiggins answered plainly.
"I definitely do," Wiggins said. "Nothing less."
The former No. 1 pick in 2014 has proven that he can score at a high volume at the NBA level. Wiggins holds career averages of 20.4 points per game, and ranked 16th overall in scoring last season.
Wiggins is a classic small forward who can create his own shot and score inside and out. He's one of the most athletic finishers in the league, while being one of the best at getting to the free-throw line.
The Canadian swingman has also proven to be incredibly durable. He has missed just one game in his three-year career while playing extended minutes as a starter. Only James Harden has played more minutes than Wiggins since 2014.
That being said, Wiggins is far from a complete player, which makes awarding the maximum extension a tricky proposition.
First, Wiggins is a volume scorer but isn't necessarily an efficient scorer. His career true-shooting percentage hovers below league average, mostly since Wiggins is inconsistent from 3-point range.
Second, the 22-year-old ranks as one of the most disinterested defenders in the league. Despite possessing great size and unbelievable athleticism, the Timberwolves have consistently struggled to stop their opponents when Wiggins is on the floor.
With or without an extension, Wiggins will still be on the Timberwolves next season. He's entering the last year of his rookie-scale contract, and will be a restricted free agent next summer, at which point they could match any offer he signs.
Minnesota holds all the cards in this scenario. If they're unsure as to Wiggins' future, they could simply wait until next summer and see if he takes the leap to becoming a surefire max player before paying him accordingly.