Solemn_In_Berlin wrote:^ Good point. My only gripe with that is, they could have gotten a better deal (Asik and Anderson? Millsap and Korver?). Wiggins has shown to be a much better shooter and ballhandler than projected (unrelated, but worth mentioning that the same applies to Exum). We don't really know how things could have worked had he stayed in Cleveland but that didn't stop Westbrook from blossoming.
Of course, this isn't about Love vs. Wiggins per se but rather the dynamic. Wiggins was going into this season on the 1st year of his rookie contract. Fast forward now, the Cavs are going into next season with Kyrie and LeBron getting paid a combined $35M. Then there's decisions to be made on TT and Love (assuming he opts in).
There may be some friction happening right now, also.
“I heard some people calling me that but I know I’m not a stretch-four,†Love told NEOMG. “I’m a post player that can shoot. Right now I’m just doing what I’m called to do. For good, bad or indifferent, I’m playing my role and doing what’s asked of me. Tonight, I stayed out on the perimeter.â€
"Kevin Love was just in the tunnel when Blatt tried to sub him in. Mike Miller had to sprint to go fetch him."
Either it's this, or I'm just overthinking it. I mean, it wasn't too long ago when rumor had it that Blatt was out.
I won't comment much on other potential deals because a) I wouldn't touch both Asik and Anderson with a four foot pole if I were a GM given their history of consistent health issues - they already have one of those in Verajao and look how that turned out and b) I don't think the Hawks would ever dare trade both Korver and Milsap since they're an important part of what makes them work.
I don't think the westbrook comparison is completely accurate because a) him and KD were both starting out at the same time in a bad situation and b) the cavs are in a situation where they're expected to win as soon as possible is different from building a team in OKC where they were given time to grow together. The reason why Harden worked out for OKC was because he bought into a bench role, but look at where he's at now. There are just situations that are better for different individuals.
So no, you already have two ball dominant guys out there in Lebron and Kyrie, how will Wiggins fit in? Remember this was a time when Dion Waiters was still in the team, another ball dominant guard who just couldn't fit in the team. I don't know how adding Wiggins in that mix works at all. Lebron can play the 4, but he clearly prefers to do it in spurts and not as a full time job. I don't think Wiggins will exactly settle into a catch and shoot-floor spacing role -- his dominance as of late is in large part due to his attacking nature ( a role that I don't think he would have gotten in Cleveland).
And that's my point all along, the dynamic between wiggins and the rest of the cavs won't work compared to how love fits in. Love fills a need for Cleveland, Wiggins does not. Wiggins' growth would have been stunted had he stayed in Cleveland. The reason why he's showing us all these skills in Minessota is because he is being given an opportunity to lead, one that he wouldn't have had in Cleveland. If you want to talk about money, then it's not so much a problem with the cap jumping significantly shortly. Cleveland obviously got K-Love to keep him as a piece and not a rental, I'm sure they know full well they would have had to pay big bucks to keep those three around. Tristan Thompson has been a big help for the Cavs, but he's clearly not untouchable. Lots of guys, with smaller price tags can do what Thompson does.