www.startribune.com/511/story/1521418.html

Inked him to a 5 year deal worth $65 Million Dollars...Keeps him here till 2013...I think its reasonable as can be! Everyone happy now that we locked up the future centerpiece?

WOW!

5 years, 65 mil.

I like it. a lot!

Yes! Yes! Now we don't have to worry all season about Jefferson becoming a freeagent next season. Plus, now we know that we just didn't give up KG for nothing.

Basically the same as the 6 year, $75 million I've been saying all along. The five year deal is a little better for Jefferson, but not by much.

Maybe they should just skip the hassle and sign me on as their lead negiotiator... ?

Regardless, great work. Good deal. I'm surprised it happened, I really am.

Last night, when it was 11, I was thinking the Wolves had decided to just wait. So, I stopped waiting for it. Then, this morning I check and there it was!

I'm so excited. Another nice move for the Wolves.

I've gotta give credit where credit's due. This has been a surprisingly good offseason...and getting Big Al at a very reasonable price is just the icing on the cake. I love that he'll only be 27 when the contract is up.

Edit: Pulled this from the KFAN boards...an excerpt from Chad Ford's chat on ESPN today:

Drew, NYC: What did you think of the Al Jefferson deal for the Timberwolves?

SportsNation Chad Ford: It looks like it's 5 years, $60 million. That's a lot, but considering the Wolves just traded KG for him ... I think they had to get this done. He and Randy Foye are the franchise right now. It made no sense to alienate him. I think Jefferson has a chance of being an all-star some day, but I doubt he'll be a superstar.

\"It makes no sense to alienate him.\" Wow, Chad Ford is a moron.

Every single person from ESPN hates the Wolves. No credit is ever given, even when something good happens. But, look at their NBA writers. Most you probably have never heard of.

Al Jefferson at 5 for 65 is a steal. My guess is that he would have demanded the max heading into next year.

There will never be another KG, but Al Jefferson will definitely be a great player to root for as the new centerpiece of this team.

And giving credit where it's due, McHale has put together a flawless off-season in my opinion. Every single one of his moves has been on the money.

Agreed that McHale has an awesome offseason.

Also, the deal was perfect for both sides. Say Jefferson doesn't play well, or gets inured (he better not!). Since the deal is done before the season, he'll get paid either way. For the Wolves, they should be saving some money. If Jefferson plays anywhere near what we have seen so far, he would get max money if a deal wasn't already done.

Plus, people need to get over these KG-Jefferson comparisions. They are two different players.

I wonder how much of these moves are McHale's doing? Do you think he's responsible for everything...? Or, is it Freddie? Is it the 7 headed monster or however many idiots they have running this team? Regardless, I agree with you all that it's been an absolutely fabulous off-season.

I never thought I'd hear myself say that.

The ESPN writers DO suck, and they DO hate us. I don't ever listen to them. Tools.

I hope Big Al stays healthy and rips it up... I've got him on three fantasy teams, one of which is our \"Western Conference Only, Keeper League!\"