For all the talk coming out of Cleveland about its commitment to Andrew Wiggins, reports now surface that the Cavaliers are willing to deal the No. 1 draft pick for Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love.
The two clubs have been engaged in trade discussions since LeBron James announced he was returning to Cleveland last Friday.
The Cavaliers and new coach David Blatt have stated privately and publicly that they would not deal Wiggins.
“That’s why they call them rumors,” Blatt said after a 96-90 Cavaliers loss to the Rockets that ended Cleveland’s stint at the Las Vegas Summer League on Thursday night. “Sooner or later in one’s career you’re going have to deal with it. So if he has to deal with it now, then so be it. It’s the summer league. He’s learning everything as he goes along.”
But talks were already underway. However, the Cavaliers refused to include the 19-year-old Wiggins in any trade, and the Timberwolves were unwilling to send Love to Cleveland without receiving the former star Kansas guard in return.
Wiggins, who had 21 points on 3-of-5 shooting and five rebounds in the loss, signed autographs after the game but was not made available to the media because of a “league obligation,” according to a team official.
“I don’t talk to him about any of that stuff, because, for me, it doesn’t mean anything,” Blatt said. “At least not right now. You know, that’s the beauty of these games: There’s always something to talk about.”
The Cavaliers are in discussions with Wiggins’ representatives about signing the rookie. If Cleveland does sign Wiggins, it would have to wait 30 days before trading him.
