Predicting the Timberwolves Future

Apr 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) dribbles the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Zach LaVine

Zach LaVine’s situation is a lot trickier than the other young players on our roster. His contract situation is the exact same as Andrew Wiggins, but that is not the tricky part. The tricky part is simple…or something like that.

Will LaVine be an all-star-caliber player? If LaVine is a superstar, then it’s an easy answer: give him the flippin’ max. LaVine has a high ceiling, but no one is 100% confident saying he’s going to be a superstar.

Some other things that have to be taken into account with LaVine is the Rubio situation. If Rubio figures out the shooting woes that have plagued him, he could easily earn another huge contract, making it hard to pay him as well as Wiggins and LaVine.

Also, LaVine strikes me as a player who thinks he’s better than he actually is. There’s nothing wrong with that; it just means that it will make the contract negotiations more difficult. The organization might think he’s a five-year, $100 million guy, but LaVine and his agent could think he’s a five-year, $125 million guy.

Another team could also think that LaVine is “the guy”. That team could offer him a large contract in restricted free agency, which he could sign, ultimately putting the Wolves organization in a difficult spot (you have three days to match an offer). Sign & Trades could also be in play with him.

Result: LaVine signs a four-year contract worth $105 million with the Wolves in restricted free-agency, but requests a trade the off-season before the 3rd season of the new contract…let’s call it the year 2021.

Next: The Third-Year Sixth-Man