The Minnesota Timberwolves are exploring the possibility of trading Andrew Wiggins to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving. Brian Windhorst of ESPN told Mackey & Judd that if the Wolves want Irving to play alongside Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns, the only way for that to happen is trade Wiggins back to the team that drafted him. The Cavaliers took Wiggins first overall in the 2014 Draft but traded him to the Timberwolves, together with Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young for Kevin Love. Windhorst added that it will up to team owner Glen Taylor.
Irving recently asked the Cavaliers to trade him and gave a short list of preferred destinations, including the Timberwolves, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat. Sources said Irving told Cavs team owner Dan Gilbert on July 7 that he wants to become the No. 1 option in a team’s offense, unlike in Cleveland where he plays behind LeBron James.
Butler, Towns want to form Big Three with Irving
Butler and Towns both expressed interest in playing with Irving, asking the Wolves management to work out a trade that will bring the All-Star point guard to Minnesota. However, the Wolves have no other trade option because they cannot ship Jeff Teague until December 15 because he just joined the team.
The Wolves signed Teague to a three-year deal worth $57 million as a replacement for Ricky Rubio as their starting guard.
The Wolves suddenly became a contender in the Western Conference after acquiring Butler via a Draft Day trade with the Chicago Bulls. Earlier, Irving expressed interest in playing for the Bulls with Butler before he was traded.
Irving and Butler became close during their time with USA Basketball.
Wolves plan to sign Wiggins to $150M contract
Earlier, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the Timberwolves plan to sign Wiggins to a massive contract extension worth $150 million before the season opener in October. Under the new labor agreement for players on their rookie contracts, Wiggins is eligible to sign a five-year maximum “designated” extension.
The Timberwolves have until October to complete negotiations and sign Wiggins to the huge deal. Towns is eligible for that second designated slot before the 2018-19 season.
Last season, Wiggins averaged 23.6 points and 4.0 boards in 82 regular-season games for the Wolves. Known as a solid scorer, Wiggins averaged 16.9 points in his rookie year and followed it with a 20.7 point average the next season.
