Rumor: Timberwolves would demand Andrew Wiggins in Kevin Love-to-Cleveland deal
By Sam Richmond
Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday that the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in trading for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ superstar Kevin Love if the Cavs are able to sign LeBron James.
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However, Cleveland shouldn’t expect to lowball the Wolves in any trade discussions that involve Love. Wojnarowski is also reporting that Minnesota would require the Cavs’ 2014 No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins to be involved.
"The Timberwolves will demand Andrew Wiggins, the Cavs’ No. 1 overall pick from last month’s NBA draft, be a part of any proposed deal, sources told Yahoo Sports."
This is to be expected. In fact, it would be absolutely stunning if the Timberwolves would even answer a phone call from Cleveland if Wiggins wasn’t a part of the deal. The Cavaliers simply don’t have the assets outside of Wiggins and Kyrie Irving (who should be considered untouchable) to acquire a talent like Love.
Trading for Wiggins would certainly be a solid step in the Timberwolves’ rebuild. The former Kansas Jayhawk will head into the NBA as one of the most hyped prospects we’ve seen in recent memory, and projects to be a stud at the next level. He averaged 17.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in his lone college season.
As for the Cavs, fielding a lineup that featured Love, LeBron James and Irving would make up for the pain they’d feel in losing a prospect like Wiggins. The new-look Cavaliers would immediately vault into being the best team in the Eastern Conference and would be serious contenders for an NBA title next season.