Wiggins for Love: It Doesn't Work for Me
Some trades make both teams better. Each participant gets a necessary piece of the puzzle to elevate their team. However, I am not sold on this Wiggins for Love talk. From what I can tell, I am in the minority. Everyone else seems to see this as a great idea that might make the Cavs a finalists if not title winners as early as next year.
Why it is bad for Cleveland
The trade is going to gut the Cavs. After they give up Bennett and Wiggins plus a few others, they will have to sign Love to a max deal. Three players in max contracts puts Lebron back in the same Salary Cap dilemma he was in with the Heat. As the current roster ages, players are going to want their money and depth is going to become a factor. However this time, Lebron will be the old guy and his chances of bringing more rings to Cleveland becomes less and less likely.
If they kept Wiggins, Lebron could carry him for a couple of years and then he would help shoulder the load. It could be the closest to a MJ-Pippen relationship we will see in a while. By the time it is Wiggins turn to make money, salary cap issues may not be as big and they could afford their three stars while maintaining a great bench.
Love also does not seem to be that durable. He is only 25 but he is already starting to miss games. He is a stat machine but he is not a proven winner. The more his body becomes creaky, look for him to stay on the three point line and bang less. Bosh 2.0 anyone?
Why it is bad for Minnesota
The deal doesn't solve the Timberwolves' issue of keeping players; it only puts a Band-Aid on it. Love does not want to stay but Wiggins has already expressed a desire to play for his hometown Raptors. Why trade for a player who has already hinted he will bolt. If they get both Canadians (Wiggins and Bennett) look for them to be gone before Stairway to Heaven comes on. They need to try and get players who want to be in Minnesota; a task that maybe as difficult as finding players who want to be in Toronto. Even the extra draft pick they are looking to get for next year will be #26 or worse.
As a Raptor fan, Wiggins going to Minnesota is awesome, but there is something about this talk that doesn't sit well with me. I feel Wiggins will waste away some as a Timber Wolf. Cleveland wants to give up two number ones and another first rounder for a guy who was drafted fifth in 2008? The move seems to lack foresight on both ends but there is a reason I am writing this for free and they are making the big bucks.
