Kevin McHale told Sports Headliners recently that he doesn’t feel an “urge” to sign Al Jefferson to a new contract before the season starts but that a deal in October rather than later could be comforting to the Timberwolves’ star forward. NBA policy allows negotiations this month but if a new contract isn’t agreed to then talks must stop until next summer. Jefferson makes about $1.6 million, according to espn.com, and he is a restricted free agent after the 2007-2008 season.
On a team searching for leadership, on-court production and ticket sales, Jefferson, who is heading into his fourth NBA season, jumps to the head of the Timberwolves’ line. Conversation about the summer trade that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston for five players often starts with the 22-year-old Jefferson who has by far the most impressive NBA career numbers. Last year was a coming of age season for the 6-foot-10, 265-pound Jefferson as he produced double figure averages in points (16) and rebounds (11).
McHale, vice president of basketball operations, had yet to speak with Jefferson’s agent about a new contract as of last week. He has talked to Jefferson about leadership and what’s expected of him on the floor.
“I hope that we can agree to something and get something done,” McHale said. “…We have right of first refusal next summer. We can match any offers and stuff. I don’t know (that) there’s an absolute urge.
“I would like to get something done for Al’s peace of mind, to be truthful. The numbers that you’re going to be talking are a lot of money and a ton of security for a young guy. And sometimes with that security you can say, ‘Okay, I am going to be here’ and you can relax a little bit. So I would like to get something done for Al’s sake.”
A power forward, Jefferson will play some center, according to McHale. The Wolves, who like most NBA teams don’t have a dominant center, are likely to use Jefferson at center when other teams put a smaller lineup on the floor. That’s not unlike how the Wolves adjusted when Garnett was here but a difference is that Jefferson favors a low post game. Jefferson will “go to the hole” and try to make “lay-ups,” according to McHale.
Jefferson was seventh in the league in rebounding last season. The Wolves were an average rebounding team and Jefferson will be counted on to help returning starting center Mark Blount who averaged 6.2 rebounds per game, 39th best in the NBA. McHale described Blount’s season as “great” through the first 50 games but said “his productivity slid” in the last part of the season. Blount averaged a career high 12.3 points per game and shot over 50 percent from the floor for a fourth consecutive season.