ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is reporting that the Cleveland Cavaliers are close to finalizing a rookie contract with Andrew Wiggins.
Wiggins, the No. 1 pick in last month’s NBA Draft, has been the central piece of a reported proposed trade in which the Cavs would also send last year’s No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett and a future first-round pick to Minnesota for soon-to-be 26-year-old All-Star Kevin Love.
According to Sports Illustrated, once the Cavaliers sign Wiggins, NBA rules dictate that he can’t be traded for 30 days. Regardless, the move isn’t expected to dampen a possible trade between the two teams.
Even though the trade talks seem to be heating up, a new report Monday morning from the News Herald’s Bob Finnan says the Cavaliers continue to insist that Wiggins is not involved in any trade negotiations for Love.
The Cavaliers insist rookie swingman Andrew Wiggins has not been offered in a possible trade for Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love. No one involved would guarantee it wouldn’t happen at a later date, but for now the Cavaliers will proceed in Love negotiations without using the mercurial Wiggins as a trade chip, a source told The News-Herald. Another source told The News-Herald last week the Cavaliers would be willing to deal the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft in a trade for Love — and that might still happen.
Finnan also reported last week that Cleveland was willing to include Wiggins in a deal. Yes. It really is this confusing as the back-and-forth about Wiggins’ inclusion continues.
Meanwhile, Sam Amick of USA Today has the latest on Thompson and Golden State, saying the Warriors value the shooting guard’s defense so much that they remain inclined to keep him out of any negotiations.
Chris Sheridan, who broke the Lebron James going back to Cleveland news two days before it happened, adds this:
If Cleveland stands firm on their position on Wiggins, then they might miss out on Love if Golden State agrees to include Klay Thompson. Fortunately for the Cavaliers, the Warriors are also holding out in the hopes that they can swing a deal without including their starting shooting guard.
Stay tuned because this story continues to amaze and confuse.
