After a 10-day wait that was magnified into feeling like 10 years because of the 24-hour news cycle, we found out Friday that LeBron James is headed back to Cleveland after four years, four trips to the Finals and two titles in Miami.
WATCH: @SInowLIVE is LIVE with the exclusive on @KingJames coming home. Watch here -> http://t.co/cy1owooASl pic.twitter.com/OV4XA5IeHD
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 11, 2014
After the inevitable reactions of ‘Wow, he really did it,’ from basketball fans around the world, the first thing that likely came to the minds of KU basketball fans was this: What does that mean for Andrew Wiggins?
The short answer? Wiggins probably should not get too comfortable in those Cleveland duds. He may be on the move via the trade winds and it may be happening very quickly.
Not only does LeBron hold down the majority of the minutes and stats at the small forward position, but there’s strong speculation that veteran shooting guard Ray Allen will follow James to Cleveland, which would crowd up things at the 2-guard spot, too. The shooting guard spot is the place Cleveland management seems to think Wiggins will ultimately succeed and bringing on Ray Allen doesn’t kill that idea but it adds quality depth and allows them to explore the idea of adding big man help.
There’s been some talk in the past week about the Cavs possibly moving Wiggins, last month’s No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, to Minnesota in exchange for all-star big man Kevin Love.
At the moment, Cavaliers rookie swingman Andrew Wiggins’ camp believes he won’t be traded to Minnesota for Kevin Love.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 11, 2014
If Love will go (and why wouldn’t he?) and the Timberwolves are OK with getting Wiggins in return for a guy they’d probably lose anyway (and why wouldn’t they be?), then this is something that could happen in a hurry.
The first reports from NBA insiders were that the Cavs have already offered Dion Waiters, Anthony Bennett and a first-round pick to Minnesota for Love, but the general belief there is that such a package won’t be enough and the T’Wolves will demand that Wiggins is included in any deal they do.
Perhaps the biggest sign that it might be in the works comes from James himself, who, in an essay penned at SI.com, talked about the Cavs’ roster and did not mention Wiggins. It’s possible the former Jayhawks’ omission was simply out of respect for the process since Wiggins has not yet signed with Cleveland, but there’s also a better than good chance that James knows something about Cleveland’s willingness to explore moving Wiggins to bolster the roster.
> I’m not promising a championship. I
> know how hard that is to deliver.
> We’re not ready right now. No way. Of
> course, I want to win next year, but
> I’m realistic. It will be a long
> process, much longer than it was in
> 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation
> with a young team and a new coach. I
> will be the old head. But I get a
> thrill out of bringing a group
> together and helping them reach a
> place they didn’t know they could go.
> I see myself as a mentor now and I’m
> excited to lead some of these talented
> young guys. I think I can help Kyrie
> Irving become one of the best point
> guards in our league. I think I can
> help elevate Tristan Thompson and Dion
> Waiters. And I can’t wait to reunite
> with Anderson Varejao, one of my
> favorite teammates.
“LeBronWatch” might be over but “WigginsWatch” is just beginning.
Welcome to the NBA, Andrew.
Read LeBron’s full essay about heading home to Cleveland here.