LeBron James’ decision to head home brings uncertainty for Andrew Wiggins

By Matt Tait     Jul 11, 2014

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, congratulates Andrew Wiggins of Kansas who was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the number one pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

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.

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.

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.

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.