Karl-Anthony Towns Signs Max Extension with Timberwolves

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Sep 22, 2018
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 11: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

We finally have some good news Timberwolves’ fans. In a week full of the bad, we needed it. Karl-Anthony Towns will be in Minnesota for the foreseeable future:

KAT also released this statement (read Woj’s full breaking report here)

“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.

“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.”

Undoubtedly, Karl-Anthony Towns is the future of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was when he was drafted, when he won rookie of the year, before Jimmy arrived, while Jimmy was here, and now as Jimmy likely exits.

It’s a night of celebration because we need KAT in Minnesota and we need him to become the player we all hope he can be. A KG 2.0. And, we need him to do it in Minnesota. But, with Jimmy walking out the door and A LOT of money committed to Karl and his young pal, Andrew Wiggins, the weight will be squarely on their shoulders.

With over $50M committed to those two players in an NBA world that holds a $120M cap, it’s unlikely that the Wolves will be able to pay another superstar to work as the 3rd leg of a new “Big Three”. It will be up to the development of these two stars. They are the only hope we have of eventually returning to the 2nd round and beyond, in the NBA Playoffs.

What does this mean for Jimmy and This:

It means they’re gone. It has become pretty clear that KAT’s hesitation before tonight was based on Jimmy Butler. So, now that he’s signed, the writing is on the wall. And the Thibs dynamic has already gone beyond fireable offenses. When your boss tells you to field calls for Jimmy Butler, you do it.

But, the last thing I want is Glen Taylor negotiating the trade. So, fire Thibs if you want Jimmy traded and he won’t do it (let’s all be honest, the guy isn’t making it past this season anyway with everything that’s gone down) then get him out of here and hire a different professional to do their job and find a good return for Butler.

I’m not on the panic train, however. If you aren’t getting anything but dog shit in trade talks right now, then lock Jimmy out of the facilities and wait until a team takes your bait and offers a decent return. You have until February to make it happen.

Celebrate tonight… because I don’t see a way we’re celebrating come the end of the 2018-19 season.

Also, keep an eye on social media because the NBA is the new WWE and who knows what Jimmy or KAT or Wiggins or anyone else will be tweeting or Insta-ing…

Here we go….

Eric Strack
Minnesota Sports Fan @RealMNSportsFan

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