Can Kyrie's Landing Spot Really Be in Minnesota? - July 24th, 2017

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Can Kyrie's Landing Spot Really Be in Minnesota?
July 24th, 2017
Let me be one of the first to say that even with Kyrie's trade request, he will most likely be in a Cavs uniform before the season starts and his marriage with Cleveland will put a patch on their differences. However, lets just say that Cleveland lets him go, it poses the question...where can he end up?
The Twin Cities area has been buzzing about the new face of the team. I myself was overjoyed when I heard the news of Irving possibly coming to Minnesota and how exciting the team would be. The only problem is in the trade the Wolves would most likely have to give up Andrew Wiggins due to newly acquired players (Butler, Gibson, Teague and Crawford) cannot be moved until December 15th. Wiggins, just like Irving, appears to be a young, budding MVP caliber player in the league. So it is no secret that Cleveland would require Wiggins being in the package to compete in the Kyrie sweepstakes. But should Minnesota actually consider giving up Wiggins for Kyrie? Simple answer for me is yes. Kyrie is locked up for two years with a player option for a third year so it will not be a short rental and Minnesota wouldn't have to work on a 35 million a year extension for Wiggins right now with the inflation of this market. Therefore, financially it is a green light.
On the contrary, given that Wiggins is only 22 and is coming off a season averaging 23.6 points per game makes the trade a little scary. Also, reports indicate that Wigs is interested in a four year extension so you know he's invested in Minnesota. It is also unclear how high his ceiling can actually be. He could be a franchise player or the next generation Rudy Gay (yes I said it! If you look at their numbers at this stage in their respective careers, they are very similar.) Nevertheless, when you compare him to other players around the league under 25 years of age he might be the best player (or his teammate Karl Anthony-Towns.) Personally, if I were Scott Layden and Thibs, I would offer Wiggins only for Kyrie and sell Wiggins' upside. Jimmy Butler has been on record stating that if he could play with any player he would choose Kyrie Irving so I think it would work. I wouldn't offer more Wiggins alone not only because of his upside but because of them boys in Oakland. Short term they are going to be atop of the West for the next couple years so going all in for these next two years in Irving's contract doesn't necessarily guarantee anything. If you get the Wiggins deal done and you know for sure KAT and Butler will be in Minnesota for the long haul, then I would just keep the four pieces and let them grow together while still drafting well. I see both sides and conditionally agree to a yes or a no but overall you would be crazy if you don't weigh your options to get a Kyrie caliber player.


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