The Cleveland Cavaliers have finally knotted a deal with first overall pick Andrew Wiggins, reports ESPN’s Marc Stein. Wiggins cannot be legally traded for 30 days under the terms of the NBA Collective Bargaining agreement.
With the Cavs unable to trade Wiggins for 30 days, a trade for Kevin Love will be put on hold until late August. However, both teams can still agree upon the framework of a trade, and then make it official once Wiggins is allowed to be traded.
According to ESPN sources, the Cavaliers are still the favorites to land Love. The Minnesota Timberwolves like Cleveland’s offer more than that of any other team. Though, they would still love to acquire Klay Thompson from the Warriors, but Golden State is unwilling to trade him.
The trade between the Cavaliers and Timberwolves would include Wiggins along with Anthony Bennett, a future first-round pick, and a few other minor pieces. As it has been previously reported, the Timberwolves would most likely attach Kevin Martin and J.J. Barea into a deal with Love.
Wiggins’ contract will begin at $5.5 million and should run for four years, after which time, he can sign an extension.
It has been tough on Andrew Wiggins having to be mentioned in trade talks this early in his career, but he is trying to stay positive.
“I let my agent and my support system handle that, I just love playing the game of basketball and I know the NBA is a business…” Wiggins told NBC Sports. “I just play basketball man wherever I go.”
In addition to Wiggins, the Cleveland Cavaliers have also signed second-round pick Joe Harris to a three-year, $2.75 million deal, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Harris’ contract is only guaranteed for the first two seasons.