For upwards of a month, trade talks have swirled regarding the potential movement of power forward Kevin Love. The Minnesota Timberwolves big man and former UCLA star is forcing his way out, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the clear-cut favorite to acquire the double-double machine. The trade is currently in limbo, as the NBA investigates whether the Cavaliers had discussions with Love’s camp about a long-term commitment, a violation of league policy. Should the trade go through, you’ll see Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a 2015 first-round pick (from the Miami Heat) be Minnesota bound.
Wiggins has endured an awkward phase with the media, as the Love talks have raised questions about his future. Amid these talks the NBA discontinued his jersey, and new Cavalier Lebron James lobbied for Love and has yet to reach out to the newcomer. It’s an uncomfortable position for any player to handle — let alone the first overall pick — being traded before he is given a chance.
The former Jayhawk informed his old head coach Bill Self that he hopes to be traded to Minnesota because he believes the trade provides the best situation for his long term development.
Self spoke to the media about his talk with Wiggins, who was recently a counselor at Self’s basketball camp.
“When all this trade stuff started, I talked to Andrew and Andrew told me, ‘I hope I get traded,” Self said. “And I’m like, ‘No you don’t.’ [Wiggins] said, ‘Coach, I do. It’s better for me, knowing my personality and what I need to do, to go somewhere where I’m forced to be something as opposed to going in there where they’re going to be patient with me and I’m going to be a piece.'”
Starting on the day a rookie signs his contract, a 30-day waiting period commences during which the player can not be traded. A lot can happen between now and August 23 when that waiting period ends, but both parties appear at ease with the trade in its current conditions.