Who trades a number one draft pick after already making the selection? The Cleveland Cavaliers are about to do it, as Andrew Wiggins is starting to realize that his dream of teaming up with LeBron James isn’t going to happen. Maybe it’s for the best, maybe it isn’t. The one thing that is clear from this entire situation is that a trade involving the rookie out of Kansas and Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves is almost impossible to prevent at this point.
Why would the Cavs throw away their future and depth? Kevin Love is a superstar and one of the most productive players in the NBA on the offensive side of things. But we’ve seen over the last few years that partnering All-Star players together doesn’t always give you the results you wished for. The Cavs are probably going to be giving up more than just Wiggins. Depth, potential and a chance to be successful for a very long time, instead of just being reliant on the whims of LeBron James.
It’s hard to say what’s the driving force behind this trade, but strong rumors suggest that James and his agent are pushing for Love to join the team. After all, James is living proof that putting superstars together works – two championships, four NBA finals with the Miami Heat, next to Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. What he forgets to tell them is that having a deep stable of reliable role players might be even more important than that magic ‘Big Three’ moniker.
Wiggins realizes that his short time as a Cavs member is coming to an end. In his interview with ESPN, one embarrassing piece of “journalism” Wiggins said that he wants to play for a team that wants him. It couldn’t be any simpler than that. The Cavs have shown 0 love for the guy. Maybe he’s not the next LeBRon James, but this isn’t the Anthony Bennett situation. This is someone completely different, who is going to be a force in the NBA more likely than not.
And yet it’s almost a forgone conclusion that this deal is going to happen. The details aren’t completely clear – how many players will arrive in Minnesota for Love, and how do the Philadelphia 76ers and Thaddeus Young fit into the picture. Yet Glenn Taylor, the owner of the Timberwolves, said that a trade is going to happen by August 23 or 24. Wiggins cannot be traded until August 23.
There’s no conspiracy or big secret about it. The Cavaliers think, or maybe just are doing James’ bidding, that going all-in now is their best chance of winning an NBA championship. From losers and a failure for four consecutive seasons into champions. Just like that. James needed four years after entering the league until he took the Cavaliers to the NBA finals. It’s a different situation this time. No one has patience or vision to try and create something bigger and greater.