The News-Herald newspaper in Ohio this afternoon reported Cleveland is now willing to trade No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins, to the Timberwolves in a deal for Kevin Love.
If the two sides are able to make a deal, it likely will include Wiggins, 2013 No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett and possibly a first-round pick, but the teams will have to figure out how to make the money work, considering Love makes $15-plus million and the Cavs are stretched to the cap limit after signing LeBron James and others.
That process could involve a third team in the trade to make the money work if the Cavs are not willing to include center Anderson Varejao, whose nearly $10 million salary would do wonders to make the deal work.
The Cavaliers own protected 2015 first-round picks from Miami and Memphis to offer, although it might take a pick to get a third team to participate if needed.
I heard rumblings before I left Las Vegas yesterday that Wiggins could be now be in play after multiple reports in the last week citing Cavs sources say they defiintely would not trade the No. 1 pick and all the promise that he holds.
What changed?
Well, James has returned this week after attending Sunday's World Cup final in Brazil and perhaps is making his voice heard.
I haven't got the impression today from checking around that trade discussions have yet advanced enough for the Wolves to know whether Wiggins indeed is obtainable, but it does sound like a breakthrough indeed is possible.
