He can be a free agent, I believe, either by sitting out a year from any pro basketball and reaching a certain age that makes him no longer draft-eligible or by reaching that age and having Minnesota renounce his rights. Considering they just invested a top-five pick in him, it seems unlikely that they'd ever just renounce him, but he will have a #5 draft pick caphold for them every off-season if they do just hold his rights.
I think his only option is to sit out a year. It's my understanding that the T-Wolves hold his NBA rights indefinitely as long as he is being paid to play ball.
The "and reaching a certain age" was connected to his sitting out a year, not an alternative option. Regardless of anything, he cannot be a free agent until he reaches a certain age, I believe. Even if Minnesota renounced his rights today. He has to A. reach the age that makes him no longer draft eligible and B. no longer have his rights held by an NBA team. (B) can be accomplished two ways: sitting out a year or Minnesota renouncing his rights.
Aha. Thanks for the info. I highly doubt he'll want to sit out an entire year during his prime. He has the leverage now, but if he wants to play in the NBA and prove he's one of the best players in the world, it's going to be either with or through Minnesota.
It would be tough for him to become an NBA free agent, without sacrificing a year out of his career. He can, however, become a free agent in *Europe* by riding out his current contract. Then he can come to the NBA without going into debt to do it!
