The Minnesota Timberwolves have spent years trying to climb back into relevancy and may finally be back into the playoff picture next season.

Trading for Jimmy Butler was a gutsy move, but for the price they were able to land him at, it was the right thing to do for the franchise. Reuniting the two-way star with Tom Thibodeau, the head coach who was key in developing him, was a no-brainer once it was on the table.

With Butler joining, Minnesota has a very good chance of being one of the eight playoff teams representing the Western Conference. While that may seem like no big deal, the Timberwolves have the longest-running postseason drought in the NBA. They haven't seen the playoffs since 2004, a 13-season layoff. 

That should all change next season, with Butler leading a talented trio including Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. The Timerwolves have their three-man core in place and should be ready to commit long-term to the group. That appears to be the case. 

Wiggins and the Timberwolves have begun negotiating the next contract for their former first overall pick, hoping to lock down a five-year deal worth approximately $148 million, according to ESPN. Minnesota head coach and president of basketball operations confirmed the team was working on the extension during Jamal Crawford's introductory press conference. 

That's a huge payday for Wiggins, who came into the NBA as one of the most hyped prospects since LeBron James. He dominated basketball in Canada, had a fantastic year with the Kansas Jayhawks and was traded by the Clevealnd Cavaliers to the Timberwolves in exchange for Kevin Love once he landed in the association. 

Wiggins locking up a major contract makes sense for both sides. Andrew isn't leaving Minnesota any time soon with the Timberwolves having control of his future for at least one more contract, and Wiggins should look to sign for huge guaranteed money just in case he gets hurt. 

It'd be a huge annual pay raise for Wiggins, who'd go from making $7.6 million in the final year of his rookie deal to something in the ballpark of $25.5 million for the 2018-2019 season. The Timberwolves are also attaching incentives to bump that up even higher. 

Wiggins could make $30.6 million in the first year of his new contract if he is named to an All-NBA team, or selected as the Defensive Player of the Year next season. 

Minnesota is looking to solidify a very good core for a long-term run, and Wiggins' contract is the next big piece to figure out. With the kind of numbers on the table, it shouldn't be long before their new deal is in place.