5 reasons Andrew Wiggins is more valuable than Jimmy Butler

Wiggins is Butler’s athletic superior

In the NBA’s current age, where length, athleticism and versatility form a physical package that makes teams more excited than ever, Andrew Wiggins is pretty much as good as it gets. At 6’8″ with a 7’0″ wingspan and terrifying bounce that finishes off his smooth spin moves with emphatic dunks, you really can’t ask for much more from a young small forward.

For a quick rookie comparison with Butler when both players were getting ready to make the leap from college, the pair earned some attention with their impressive leaping ability. Butler came in with a 39-inch vertical, a highly respectable mark for anyone. Meanwhile, Wiggins leapt out the gym with 44 (!) inches.

Having that kind of elevation is remarkable. When looking around the NBA for others on the same level, Wiggins doesn’t even need to look further than across the locker room for a comparison with his teammate Zach LaVine.

The Timberwolves don’t take having that kind of athleticism lightly.

Obviously, a vertical leap isn’t everything and certainly isn’t the reason why a Wiggins-Butler trade doesn’t make sense for Minnesota. However, when combining Wiggins’ quick twitch movements to shift around the floor at both ends, create baskets inside with his springy hop-steps and spins, and such speed, bounce and length to guard multiple positions as he develops, the physical traits to enhance his potential are brilliant.

As he continues along the road to NBA stardom, Wiggins’ has more athletic ability in his pocket than virtually everyone else.

It’s simply one of many reasons why he’s too young and too promising to trade for Butler.

Next: It's Wiggins' turn to work with Thibs