C.J. Miles talks continue with the Timberwolves
Talks between the Minnesota Timberwolves and C.J. Miles continue. There are a few things that have stalled Miles from becoming the newest member of the Wolf Pack.
The Minnesota Timberwolves need 3-point shooting badly. If you want to know how badly – the Timberwolves ranked last in the NBA, with 21 three’s attempted. It’s so bad that practically any article you read, explains how bad they were and who they need to sign to fix this problem.
C.J. Miles is a 30-year old veteran who specializes in 3-point shooting. This chart from Basketball Reference illustrates how good he’s been over his 12-year career.
A career 36 percent 3-point shooter isn’t a bad number for playing in the league for 12-years. This number would be higher if it wasn’t for his poor shooting numbers his first two seasons. This past year he shot over 40 percent. Not to mention the past five seasons he’s been shooting it at a really high percentage.
| Season | Age | Tm | Lg | 3P | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 18 | UTA | NBA | 0.2 | 0.9 | .250 |
| 2006-07 | 19 | UTA | NBA | 0.2 | 0.9 | .219 |
| 2007-08 | 20 | UTA | NBA | 0.5 | 1.3 | .390 |
| 2008-09 | 21 | UTA | NBA | 0.9 | 2.5 | .352 |
| 2009-10 | 22 | UTA | NBA | 1.2 | 3.4 | .341 |
| 2010-11 | 23 | UTA | NBA | 1.4 | 4.3 | .322 |
| 2011-12 | 24 | UTA | NBA | 0.8 | 2.7 | .307 |
| 2012-13 | 25 | CLE | NBA | 1.9 | 5.0 | .384 |
| 2013-14 | 26 | CLE | NBA | 1.6 | 4.1 | .393 |
| 2014-15 | 27 | IND | NBA | 2.2 | 6.4 | .345 |
| 2015-16 | 28 | IND | NBA | 2.2 | 6.0 | .367 |
| 2016-17 | 29 | IND | NBA | 2.2 | 5.4 | .413 |
| Career | NBA | 1.4 | 3.9 | .361 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Miles is exactly what the Timberwolves need – a 3-point shooter that can come off the bench.
While he has claimed that his preferred destination is the Timberwolves – talks continue to stall. It’s not necessarily that Minnesota doesn’t want him – it’s what it’ll cost them. Minnesota has also claimed that their top free agent to sign is CJ Miles. Even after the news of their interest in veteran guard Jamal Crawford.
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The Timberwolves have little cap room left after the pickups of veterans Jeff Teague, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson. So any signing now has to come at a minimum price, or a sign and trade. Miles knows he can earn more money on the open market, but the Wolves don’t have that kind of money as of now.
Which is why Minnesota is trying to do a sign and trade with Indiana. Minnesota doesn’t believe that CJ Miles is worth the newly acquired protected first round pick. Indiana wants the pick included in any deal for C.J. Miles. Minnesota is going to more than likely pair the pick with Cole Aldrich due to his $7 million per season contract. However, Minnesota is reluctant to give-up their pick.
As Darren Wolfson from KSTP tweets out:
Absolutely. I'd do it. But it's not cut-&-dry. The #Twolves valuing the pick, + Aldrich enough w/ a big hurt is a legitimate conversation. https://t.co/nU913xLNTy
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 5, 2017
Talks have been an ongoing process between the two parties for day’s now. Yet nothing has become official. It’s something to keep an eye on these next few weeks. The Timberwolves may end up caving in and throwing in their protected first round pick.
Next: Butler and Wiggins will exploit lack of quality NBA wings
Only time will tell.