A popular sleeper pick to earn a playoff spot in the West heading into the 2016/17 season, the Timberwolves got off to a terrible start and never recovered, proving that they weren’t quite ready to make that leap. Nonetheless, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins continue to improve, and Tom Thibodeau now has a year under his belt with his new team. With another top-seven pick on the way and some cap space available, the Wolves are in position to continue improving their roster and perhaps to get back to the postseason in 2017/18.
Here’s where things currently stand for the Timberwolves financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2017:
Guaranteed Salary
- Ricky Rubio ($14,275,000)
- Gorgui Dieng ($14,112,360)
- Nikola Pekovic ($11,600,000)
- Andrew Wiggins ($7,574,323)
- Cole Aldrich ($7,300,000)
- Karl-Anthony Towns ($6,216,840)
- Kris Dunn ($4,046,760)
- Nemanja Bjelica ($3,949,999)
- Zach LaVine ($3,202,218)
- Tyus Jones ($1,471,382)
- Kevin Martin ($1,360,305) — Waived via stretch provision.
- Total: $75,109,187
Player Options
- None
Team Options
- None
Non-Guaranteed Salary
- Jordan Hill ($4,180,000)1
- Total: $4,180,000
Restricted Free Agents
- Shabazz Muhammad ($4,187,598 qualifying offer / $7,615,748 cap hold)
- Total: $7,615,748
Cap Holds
- Brandon Rush ($4,200,000)
- No. 7 overall pick ($3,821,640)
- Adreian Payne ($3,100,094)
- Omri Casspi ($1,471,382)
- Total: $12,593,116
Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000
Maximum Cap Room: $32,037,943
- Although Pekovic remains on the Timberwolves’ books, medical retirement appears likely for him. If that becomes official, the Wolves could remove Pekovic’s charge from their cap, leaving the team with nine guaranteed salaries, a cap hold for a first-round pick, and two cap hits for empty roster spots, totaling $68,962,057. That would leave enough room to offer a maximum-salary contract to any free agent with less than 10 years of NBA experience.
Footnotes:
- Hill’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after June 30.
Salary information from Basketball Insiders and The Vertical was used in the creation of this post.
Hmm. i actually think any of our three big(ger) FAs from Toronto could fit. Ibaka could sub or play along with KAT which sounds a bit troublesome for the opposition. Patterson to help anchor the reserve squad and space the floor. Tucker because what team doesn’t want a high effort defender who can guard the other teams best perimeter players with the added bonus of playing mentor on a young squad.
Draft best available then trade for a vet power forward to fit with KAT
Maybe they sign Taj Gibson in FA. The Thibs connection would make that something to keep tabs on. Not sure he could start full time now but he’d be ok sharing time with the draft pick or an Amir Johnson high energy rebounder type.
bulls fan, but the wolves are one of my favorite teams to watch. i hope they can be successful.