Dunking With Wolves
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5 reasons the Timberwolves should trade for Kyrie Irving

By Jaime Tyler

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kyrie Irving
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kyrie Irving /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 13: Glen Taylor, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and head coach Tom Thibodeau look on before the game against the Washington Wizards on March 13, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Wizards 119-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 13: Glen Taylor, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and head coach Tom Thibodeau look on before the game against the Washington Wizards on March 13, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Wizards 119-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Number 3: To max or not to max

The timing of the Irving news came right on the heels of the first reports that Thibodeau and crew were working on a Wiggins’ extension.

In fact, during last week’s roundtable, before the Irving news broke, I called it a “no brainer” for the Wolves to max Wiggins.

The point being, Wiggins, although he hasn’t played like a max player, certainly has max player potential. If the Wolves chose not to give him a max extension this off-season, a competitor certainly would next summer when Wiggs entered restricted free agency. Then, the Wolves could either match that contract or let him walk.

Whatever your thoughts are on Wiggins, he’s simply too talented and too young to let walk for nothing, especially in a market like Minnesota where it’s darn near impossible to attract top-level free agents.

Related Story: Wiggins unique path to max contract

However, Wiggins extension, although a “no-brainer”, is certainly not the slam dunk extension that KAT will sign next summer. No one in the Wolves front office, fanbase, or anywhere around the league would think twice before offering Towns a max contract the second he’s eligible.

The Kyrie Irving drama, consequently, makes this decision much easier for the Wolves. While there are risks to both, mainly Irving is guaranteed for two years and Wiggins could be here for at least six, the Irving risk is the better one to take now.

Wiggins, if he does not improve his all-around game, may one day carry an albatross of a contract. Irving’s current deal, $18.9 million next season, is a steal in today’s salary cap.

We now come to the flip side of those risks: the rewards.