Cleveland Cavaliers expected to sign Andrew Wiggins Thursday
Being the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft comes with a lot of prestige and usually has a lot of perks.
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Although they still view the selection as an honor, the last two top-overall picks, Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward Anthony Bennett (2013) and swingman Andrew Wiggins, have been at the center of rumors. Most expect the Cavaliers will eventually trade both players and other assets to acquire Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love.
Jason Lloyd of The Akron Beacon Journal reports the Cavaliers expect to receive Wiggins’ signed contract on Thursday and he would not be eligible to be traded for 30 days.
"When the Cavaliers receive the paperwork on Andrew Wiggins’ signed contract, which is expected Thursday, the clock on a tedious 30-day waiting period that could drastically alter the future of the franchise will officially begin ticking……Instead they must sign Wiggins to his contract, which will pay him $5.5 million this season (and of equal importance adds valuable dollars to a trade for Love). But once Wiggins signs, he can’t be traded for 30 days under league rules. That’s a long time for a team to keep its word."
Love averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game last season while shooting 45.7% from the field, 37.6% from three and 82.1% from the charity stripe last season. Bennett averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 35.6% from the field, 24.5% from beyond the arc and 63.8% from the free throw line. Wiggins averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game for the Jayhawks last season while shooting 44.8% from the field, 34.1% from beyond the arc and 77.5% from the free throw line. Wiggins was ranked as the top prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express .