Towns: Timing of extension was 'all about getting everything perfect'

Given the apparent friction between Karl-Anthony Towns and teammate (for now) Jimmy Butler, some believe Towns only signed his five-year max extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves once it became clear Butler would be traded.

The extension offer had been on the table for at least a month before Towns signed it, according to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski. Towns ultimately put pen to paper on the $190-million contract this past Saturday, the same day Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor reportedly issued a directive to team president Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden to get a Butler deal done in short order.

Towns spoke to Krawczynski after officially committing to Minnesota long term, and made only a cryptic reference to the timing of the agreement.

"It took a lot longer than I expected, but at the end of the day it was all about getting everything perfect, and the understanding was the same," Towns said. "In talking to each other about the commitment to winning, that was the biggest thing, and having that commitment to each other."

There was excitement in Minnesota after the Wolves traded for Butler on draft night last year, but he never seemed to mesh with Towns and Andrew Wiggins. A report from July suggested Butler was "frustrated with the nonchalant attitudes" of his two young co-stars, and Towns specifically.

Whatever Towns meant by "getting everything perfect" will likely be left to the imagination. His relationship with Thibodeau seems decidedly less than perfect, and Thibodeau remains the team's head coach and lead basketball decision-maker.

"Me and Thibs may not see eye to eye every day, but the one thing I know is we have tremendous respect for each other," Towns told Krawczynski. "Regardless of what happens, that respect is there. I know when I look in Thibs' eyes and he looks in mine, we both have the same goal and that's to win. Me and Thibs have a good understanding what we're looking for out of each other."

With training camp set to open Tuesday, Towns also insisted he isn't concerning himself with how the Butler situation plays out.

"I always worry about what I can control," Towns said. "I make sure that every single day I go in that gym and make sure I'm the best player possible and I make sure I'm the best teammate possible."