Andrew Wiggins Extension, Minimum Contracts, Notes

Despite still having several open roster spots, as well as two-way spots they would presumably like to fill since they acquired a G-League team, we have reached the dead period of the Wolves, and the NBA off-season.

During yesterday’s presser for Jamal Crawford, Tom Thibodeau admitted they are just waiting things out at this point to see who can be had for the minimum deals they can offer. Players are generally in no hurry to take these as they hold out for something better.

Meanwhile, he also said they are “working on” a contract extension for Andrew Wiggins as we speak. Wiggins is eligible for an extension that would kick in for the 2018-19 season. It can be for as long as five years, which would last through the 2022-23 season.

The maximum value of such a deal would be around $148M, and start at somewhere above $25M in the first year. We’ve obviously debated this a lot, and will have more if and when it happens, but suffice it to say that I’m sure it’s going to get done, either at the max or very close. It’s obviously a decision to commit to Wiggins as one of the cornerstones of the franchise.

Elsewhere, the Houston Rockets are for sale. Just after making big investments in Chris Paul and James Harden, the Rockets owner, Leslie Alexander, announced he was putting the team on the market. I would expect the Rockets to fetch at least $2B, which, just let that bake in for a second.

Dikembe Mutombo is talking about trying to be a part of an ownership group. He played for the Rockets for several seasons at the end of his career, and would be a good addition to the ownership ranks for the NBA and the Rockets, since he is one of the most popular people on an entire continent full of potential consumers.

Today’s Musical Birthday

Is Kim Carnes, born in 1945