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TSN Raptors Reporter

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TORONTO - In all likelihood Andrew Wiggins will spend his first seven NBA seasons as a member of the Timberwolves, but where might he end up following that?

The 20-year-old rookie and former first-overall pick had faced this question, or variations of it, before his career even began. Predictably, it was posed to him again ahead of his 67th game as a pro and first as a visiting player in his hometown.

"I love Minnesota," Wiggins relied diplomatically. "They treat me nice up there. I plan to be there a very, very, very long time."

With each "very", the Raptors' fervent fan base let out a collective groan. No, he didn't wink at the end of this statement of reassurance. In fact, it almost seemed sincere. But, of course, what was he supposed to say?

Whether he likes it or not, he'll be in Minnesota for the foreseeable future, but Canadian hoops fans are hopeful that they'll, one day, get the chance to welcome him home, for good. Wednesday marked the first step in laying the groundwork for that homecoming.

"It felt welcoming," said Wiggins, who received a rousing ovation from the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd ahead of his team's 105-100 loss to the Raptors. I" already love playing in Toronto, I already loving playing where I'm from. Even though we didn't win the game, I still feel appreciated, and had fun."

Mission accomplished. Surely, those who cheered for the young forward had been looking forward to seeing him play in the flesh. As they should. He's a rising star that hails from the Greater Toronto Area, the most electrifying NBA prospect the country of Canada has ever produced. But there's more to it than that.

For those clamouring to see him in a Raptors uniform sooner rather than later, it was important to ensure this turned into a memorable night for Wiggins. It was and will continue to be important to make him feel loved. At some point in the distant future, that could go a long way.

Although his rookie contract will expire after his fourth season, there's precisely zero precedent of players turning down long-term security in the form of a max-money extension to tempt fate at that early stage in their careers. Even if he chooses to do so, he would be a restricted free agent, allowing Minnesota to match any offer Toronto - or whoever else - were to make him. So, assuming Wiggins extends with the T-Wolves, the earliest he would hit the open market is during the summer of 2021, as a 26-year-old entering his prime.

Wiggins, the overwhelming favourite for Rookie of the Year, is well on his way to becoming the star many believe he will grow into, meeting and even exceeding lofty expectations as a first-overall pick.

The Wolves' leading scorer was noticeably jittery early in Wednesday's game, getting into first-half foul trouble before looking more comfortable in the second, true to character and what we've come to expect from Wiggins. He finished with 15 points on nine shots in 32 minutes of action. Many of misinterpreted his quiet nature and the way in which he lets the game come to him for a lack of killer instinct.

"The thing we love about him is that he doesn't get overly excited," said Timberwolves assistant, acting head coach and former Raptors bench boss Sam Mitchell. "He just takes it in stride. He just kind of understands, it just comes with who he is, and he just goes out and plays."

"He's talented," said DeMar DeRozan, who led the Raptors with 21 points on Wednesday, guarding Wiggins for most of the game. "He's going to be alright. He's just a rookie. He's still young. Once he gets experience playing in the league, being in a lot of different situations and understanding the game, he's going to be alright."

Masai Ujiri has made no bones about his admiration for the young Wiggins.

Speaking at a Canadian Basketball Forum earlier this month, the Raptors general manager was asked if there was one player, outside of LeBron James, that he'd like to see in Toronto.

"We all know who he is, I'm not even going to say his name," said Ujiri, careful to avoid a fine from the NBA for tampering. "He might be Canadian."

Ujiri's intention is to, at some point, add a Canadian player that will make an impact on his team. Wiggins is very much his white whale and the feeling may be mutual. The Vaughan, Ont. native has expressed his desire to suit up for the franchise he grew up watching.

With the rapid growth of the sport in this country, it almost seems like an inevitable marriage.

"In my short time here I have seen the interest in basketball [grow]," Dwane Casey said. "Just go on television... I remember the commercials were all curling and hockey. You'd turn it on and there was a curling commercial. And now, I'm telling you, it's just as many basketball commercials and the game has grown so much."

"I've just see the interest grow, the passion grow," the coach continued. "I understand it's still a great hockey country, I understand that, but basketball now I think is taking on a life of its own, especially with the younger generation."

Of course, Ujiri and the Raptors have a job to do in the meantime. They're not exactly biding their time until Wiggins becomes available. For basketball to continue its upward trajectory in Canada and to ensure the team remains an attractive destination for Wiggins and other free agents, they must win.