Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Cavaliers and Warriors:
Cleveland Cavaliers Acquire: Andrew Wiggins
Golden State Warriors Acquire: Caris LeVert, No. 20 pick in 2024 draft
The Warriors are open to trading Wiggins, sources told Hoops Wire.
The Cavaliers drafted Wiggins with the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and then traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the blockbuster Kevin Love deal.
“It took a decade, but Andrew Wiggins could finally get to play for the team that drafted him,” Hughes wrote. “This full-circle deal makes sense for the Cavs whether they extend Donovan Mitchell or not. And it looks even better if, somewhat improbably, all four of Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are still on the team through the summer. Maybe Cavs fans will gripe about giving up this year’s first-rounder and LeVert for a seemingly declining Wiggins, who has three years left on his deal. But Wiggins is six months younger than LeVert, has been an All-Star, defends at a level no one in Cleveland’s wing rotation can touch and shot over 38 percent from deep in each of the three seasons immediately preceding 2023-24.
“While his trend line is seemingly headed the wrong way, Wiggins is an objectively better player than LeVert, and he’d be a superior fit on the Cavs’ roster as well. Golden State, motivated to duck the tax while potentially replacing Klay Thompson‘s spot in the rotation, can take a year-long look at LeVert before committing to a longer-term agreement when he hits free agency in 2025. Considering the success the Dubs had in nabbing Brandin Podziemski at No. 19 last year, they should feel confident in their ability to unearth another gem at No. 20.”
Wiggins averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 45.3% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc and 75.1% from the free-throw line. The NBA champion will make $26.3 million next season.
The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, while the Warriors missed the postseason.
Wiggins has career averages of 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Timberwolves and Warriors. He won the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year Award and the 2022 title.
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