Wolves, Dieng Reach Four-Year Extension

The Minnesota Timberwolves and center Gorgui Dieng have agreed to a four-year extension worth $64 million, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.

Had the two sides failed to reach an agreement, Dieng would have been a restricted free agent in July once Minnesota extended a qualifying offer.

Dieng is the sixth player from the 2013 draft class to ink an extension, joining C.J. McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Victor Oladipo of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz.

While Dieng doesn’t get as much attention as the other members of the Wolves’ core, he has emerged as a key part of their supporting cast who has done well on both ends of the floor when given meaningful playing time.

Last season, Dieng averaged 10.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals in 27.1 minutes per game. He made the most of his minutes and remains one of the more underrated big men in the league.

Dieng was so important for Minnesota last year that he ranked second on the team in offensive rating (113), defensive rating (106), win shares (5.9) and value over replacement player (2.5). Also, he finished first on the team in true shooting percentage (60.1 percent).

At 26 years old, Dieng is a bit older than other members of Minnesota’s core and doesn’t have the same upside. However, he will with the team for four more years and the front office clearly believes he’s a great complementary piece to have alongside cornerstones like Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and others.