Karl-Anthony Towns Signs Supermax Deal for 5 Years, $190 Million USD
The T-Wolves cement the 22-year-old superstar as its franchise player, but what about Butler?
Blossoming 22-year-old all-star Karl-Anthony Towns has agreed to a 5-year, $190 million USD contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as reported by ESPN. The “supermax” deal solidifies Towns’s place as a cornerstone of the franchise, one that reached the playoffs last year for the first time in 13 seasons.
In a statement, Towns said:
“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.”
According to ESPN, the deal includes the ability for Towns to earn 30-percent of the Timberwolves’ salary cap if he makes one of the three All-NBA teams, or is voted league MVP or Defensive Player of the Year this upcoming season.
Since entering the league by way of Kentucky in 2015, Towns has earned Rookie of the Year honors, and one All-Star and Postseason appearance, both coming last season. Although his scoring average and usage rate dipped with Jimmy Butler joining the team last season, Towns added a dangerous new element to his game: the 7-footer hit 42.1 percent of his 285 three-point attempts. Only two other players — Larry Bird and Kevin Love — in league history averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting at least 40 percent from 3 in a season.
While this is a big move for Towns and the T-wolves, as well as an eye-opener for the NBA, no word has been made on Jimmy Butler and his future with Minnesota, however reports suggest the T-Wolves are currently shopping trade pitches.
