The countdown continues as to whether or not Andrew Wiggins remains a Cleveland Cavalier. The NBA’s number #1 overall pick has been mentioned in trade rumors involving a potential deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love since he put his autograph on his contract on July 24th.
Per NBA rules, after signing a rookie, a team must wait 30 days before it can trade him to another team. The first day the Cavs could officially deal Wiggins, who they inked to a 4-year contract, is August 23rd.
Per a story today on ESPN.com, Wiggins made his first public comments about being involved in the trade rumors saying, “I just want to play for a team that wants me. So whichever team wants me I’ll play for.” He also told SportsCenter, “At the end of the day you have to remember that the NBA is a business before anything. I’m a rookie. I really don’t have too much say.”
The latest rumor has Wiggins along with Anthony Bennett and other players, plus at least one Cavs future first round draft pick going to Minnesota for Kevin Love.
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor spoke to the St. Paul Pioneer Press and told the newspaper Love is “likely” to be dealt by Aug. 23 or Aug. 24, “I’m saying it’s most likely because Kevin has made it pretty clear that that’s what he wants to do.”
Love who is 25, is a 3-time All-Star and 2-time All-NBA second teamer. He played with LeBron James on Team USA at the 2012 London Olympics where the two won gold. He can be a free agent at the end of the 2014-15 season, so the Cavs would be rolling the dice a little on giving up so much for a player who could walk after one season. However, if Cavs G.M. David Griffin were to pull off such a deal, I’ve got to believe that Griff and the organization feel strongly that they will be able keep Love along with James by signing both to max contracts.
So the wait and rumors continue. August 23rd can’t get here soon enough for all the parties involved.