Reports regarding Andrew Wiggins have centered on his contract extension in the past weeks. However, in the latest NBA trade rumors, it was reported that he might be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving.
According to Cavaliers Nation, the trade rumors first surfaced after Minnesota Timberwolves expressed that they were interested in acquiring Irving, who recently expressed that he wanted to leave Cavaliers because he no longer wanted to be the little brother to LeBron James. Many NBA fans assumed that the only way for Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Irving was if they traded Wiggins and more players.
Is Minnesota Timberwolves willing to trade Wiggins?
According to Darren Wolfson of the ESPN, insiders with the Timberwolves said that they are not willing to trade Wiggins to get Irving. However, because Wiggins will not be part of the deal, Cavaliers might not trade Irving with the Timberwolves.
According to Yahoo Sports, even if Wiggins was part of the deal, more players were needed in order for Timberwolves to get Irving. It is unclear who else are they willing to let go in case the deal with Cleveland Cavaliers would push through.
Wiggins interested in going to Cavaliers?
Wiggins is reportedly interested if he will be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The NBA player was the first overall pick in the 2014 Draft by the Cavs and he is reportedly contemplating on re-joining the team.
His time in Cavaliers did not last long because he was traded to Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love.
However, despite Wiggins’ alleged interest in re-joining the Cavs, that might not be possible since the Minnesota Timberwolves is looking to sign him to a massive contract extension. Wiggins will play alongside Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Jeff Teague for this upcoming 2017-2018 NBA season if he signs the reported contract extension.
It is believed that with these top players with the Timberwolves, they will make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Tom Thibodeau, Glen Taylor on possible contract extension
Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is also the team’s president of basketball operations, said that they want to keep Wiggins. Minnesota Timberwolves owner, Glen Taylor, also said that the contract is now being drafted and is in the beginning stages.
Taylor said that they like Wiggins in the team and they believe he likes playing for Minnesota Timberwolves as well. He added that they do not have any trouble offering Wiggins the max contract. Accordingly, Wiggins is set to make around $7.6 million this season and could possibly earn around $9.8 for the 2018-2019 NBA season, USA Today reported.
According to Bleacher Report, Wiggins, 22, made it clear in a statement to Sports Illustrated that he would only settle for a max contract, which is worth $148 million. This will cover five seasons.
