Minnesota Timberwolves mailbag: What does this summer look like?

Question: “Do you think Hernangomez will be with the team next year?” -@rwinter62

Realistically, I think the Minnesota Timberwolves would like to have Hernangomez as a backup going forward. He is a quality player that cuts well and has shown the ability to be an efficient shooter from deep. Since being traded to Minnesota, Juancho is shooting 41% from three. A player with his skills would be valuable coming off the bench.

Hernangomez is a restricted free agent this offseason. Minnesota will likely extend his $4.6 million  qualifying offer, but I doubt he will accept it. He will likely look on the market for a more lucrative deal from another team. If he signs an offer sheet from an opposing franchise, the Timberwolves would have three days to match the offer sheet.

As I see it, Minnesota would absolutely love to have Juancho back next season, the deal breaker will be how much he receives on the market. As seen last summer with Tyus Jones, Rosas is not going to overpay for role players, even if they are considered high-quality role players. I’d guess that Hernangomez receives an offer around $6-$8 million per year this summer as many teams could look to use their Mid-Level Exception to sign him.

With Malik Beasley seemingly being the Wolves’ top priority in restricted free agecy this summer, Juancho’s fate seems to be dependent on what type of offer Beasley signs this summer. Luckily, the market this offseason is not great for free agents looking to sign large contracts, which may allow the Wolves to match offers for both of the former Denver Nuggets.

I wouldn’t expect the Timberwolves to match anything more than $8 million per year for Hernangomez, especially if Beasley is signed to a contract garnering over $16 million per year.