Some traction might be made with Kyrie Irving leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers according to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press. Irving was reported asking for a trade from the Cavaliers and gave his preferred destinations of the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves. According to Krawczynski, the Timberwolves are seriously considering giving up Andrew Wiggins to acquire Irving.
Trade depends on Wiggins leaving
The Timberwolves willingness to give up Wiggins will be the factor regarding the trading being completed.
Wiggins was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. The Cavaliers selected him but then shipped to Minnesota in a trade that brought Kevin Love to Cleveland. Having Wiggins suit back up with Cleveland would mean that the former draft pick would play for the team that originally drafted him.
However, Krawczynski is not convinced the Timberwolves want to give up Wiggins. He says that Minnesota is exploring the trade options, but has not committed to anything yet. Minnesota is in the hunt for Irving, but we will see how everything plays out.
New big three if trade happens
There's a reason Minnesota does not want to give up Wiggins. He has averaged 20.2 points in his career of three seasons and has only missed one game.
He has also averaged 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists. The former University of Kansas star is set to be a free agent at the end of this season.
If the trade goes through, Minnesota could be even more dangerous. Having a team that has Irving, Jimmy Butler, and Karl Anthony-Towns would give the Timberwolves a scary team to reckon with in the western conference.
In a dream scenario, the Timberwolves would be deadly if Wiggins could be kept as well, but that is highly unlikely.
Timberwolves need to make deal
Wiggins is just two years younger than Irving, but Irving has proven more in the league. He averaged about 25 points a game last season and is not going to be a free agent until 2020.
Having a core of Irving, Butler, and Anthony-Towns would be a nice team moving forward. Wiggins has high upside, but you know what you get with Irving.
Irving is making about $18 million in salary each season, which is a bargain. Wiggins is set for a contract extension after this season. Wiggins could command a salary like that from another team. If Wiggins were to bolt, then the Timberwolves would get nothing in return. The positives are there in front for Minnesota. They just have to pull the plug.
