Dan Gilbert’s Cavs could be in win-now mode with trading away potential superstar in the making.
6 days after landing the biggest NBA free agent signing ever with the return of LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been under intense pressure to surround their king with the right collection of talent. After drafting Andrew Wiggins with the number one overall pick last month, the team swiftly moved into landing more free agents with Mike Miller and James Jones.
Although those are role players, Cleveland is still missing that low-post threat to spread the floor. Bob Finnan revealed earlier today in the Cleveland Herald that team management has reconsidered including Wiggins in a potential Kevin Love trade.
UPDATE: The Cleveland Cavaliers have offered Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and next year’s first round draft pick for Love, but the Timberwolves wants more.
Minnesota has been under pressure in recent weeks to get a deal done with their current franchise player Love, before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in next year’s class. The Cavaliers are an obvious top 4 playoff team in the East at the moment and could be a favorite to advance to the NBA Finals, if they land one more superstar talent. With Kyrie Irving now ready to take his game to the next level, Anthony Bennett has even got into shape, all while Andrew Wiggins will be looking to get his feet wet in the league this season. He has been doing solid so far in Summer League.
Translation: Even if CLE is willing to put Wiggins into a KLove bid, the Warriors still aren't willing to do the same with Klay Thompson.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) July 17, 2014
Before LeBron came home, he opened up revealing his patience would be tested, knowing the team isn’t championship ready at the moment. Considering that remains to be seen, the Eastern Conference has definitely seen more balance in player movement, with the exception of the Chicago Bulls. We’re not sure this team is championship ready to contend with the San Antonio Spurs, due to their lack of having a front court player, but they have a chance to make a run out East.
Kevin Love would immediately fill that void they desperately need, alongside the always active veteran Anderson Varejao. Their captain, LeBron has the ability to opt-out after next season, which is already putting some pressure on management this off-season to ensure he remains in town. We’re having doubts James would actually leave Cleveland again after the letter, but he holds huge leverage in essentially becoming an unofficial general manager, now in his prime years. Sources have also reported Love is willing to commit to a long-term contract in Cleveland, if he’s able to pair with Kyrie and LeBron after a trade.
Indeed, Cavaliers have put Andrew Wiggins on table in their effort to acquire Kevin Love from Timberwolves who been firm in trade demands.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) July 17, 2014
The Cavaliers may be enjoying the week-long honeymoon with reacquiring James, but they have some work to do in the coming weeks, before training camp begins. So far, the team has been reluctant to including both Anthony Bennett and Dion Waiters as a package deal for Love, but may soon have a change of heart if the Timberwolves become desperate to get something back in exchange for Love before potentially losing him in free agency.
LeBron James has reached to tell Kevin Love of his desire for them to play together with the Cavaliers, front office sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 17, 2014
Let us know in the comments if would you trade Andrew Wiggins to acquire Kevin Love and have a shot at multiple titles now, or allow the prime rookie and number one pick to develop more around Kyrie and LeBron for future championships.
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