Cleveland Cavaliers sign Andrew Wiggins
Since Miami Heat forward LeBron James decided to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the speculation surrounding the Cavaliers and whether or not they will trade for Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love.
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The Cavaliers are reportedly willing to offer each of the last two number one overall picks, former UNLV Runnin’ Rebels’ forward Anthony Bennett (2013), former Kansas Jayhawks’ swingman Andrew Wiggins (2014) and other assets in exchange for Love.
However, if the Cavaliers are going to trade for Love, they are going have to wait 30 days.
On Thursday, the Cavaliers, as expected, officially signed Wiggins and according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, the deal will start at the rookie scale of $5.5 million.
The Cavs announce they have signed No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins, putting a 30-day moratorium on trading him.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) July 24, 2014
Wiggins' deal starts at the rookie scale $5.5 million. Draft picks can only be traded before signing contracts or 30 days after.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) July 24, 2014
Of course, keeping Wiggins (and Bennett, who looked like a better player in the Las Vegas Pro Summer League) has to be very tempting to the Cavaliers as well.
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 .