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| Chris Paul - Credit: Getty Images |
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| Tim Hardaway Jr. - Credit: Forbes.com |
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Andrew Wiggins - Credit: Twincities.com
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There have been rumors swirling around involving the Wolves and Minnesota being a landing spot for Paul. Let me be clear by saying that I really like Paul as a player but, I really DON'T like the idea of him playing for the Timberwolves. I don't see him being a good fit with the Wolves.
At the same time, I really DON'T like Andrew Wiggins and his work ethic (or lack thereof). I had held out hope for Wiggins turning into a star player but, I finally looked beyond all the negative stats that he has had with the team and am now of the opinion that Wiggins will never develop into the player so many of us fans had hoped he would. He may very well become a star in the NBA but, I am convinced it won't be in Minnesota.
I think Wiggins would be a good player for OKC and his laid back, quiet demeanor would actually fit in with the Oklahoma City fan base. They have some pretty good fans in OKC and they support the team and their players. I think they would welcome Wiggins if for no other reason than he would no longer light the Thunder up as he has when they played the Wolves.
The Dallas Mavericks are on the verge of being a solid playoff team for years to come in the Western Conference. They have gone relatively un-noticed this offseason but, that is only because, most people have forgotten about the trade they made last season for Kristaps Porzingis. No one really talked about the trade when it happened... Even in Dallas. Porzingis was out last season with a knee injury and since no one expected the Mavs to contend last season, the attention that the team got, was mostly focused on the 2018-19 Rookie of the Year, Luka Doncic.
This season though, the Mavs are going to have Doncic AND Porzingis. I expect Doncic to make his first All-Star appearance this year. Porzingis was well on his way to becoming an All-Star with the Knicks before he got hurt. I think Dallas could easily surprise everyone around the NBA and make the playoffs with their two stars. Even though Chris Paul is older and not really a long term fit if he ended up in Dallas this coming season, adding him to the Mavericks with Doncic and Porzingis would make up a very solid "Big 3" in Dallas.
Here is my idea for trading away Andrew Wiggins...
I ran the players through the Trade Machine and the salaries work out.
Oklahoma City gets Andrew Wiggins from Minnesota and his remaining 4 years.
And Courtney Lee from Dallas (1 year/12.8 Mil remaining).
Future 1st round pick from Dallas (1-20 protected)
Minnesota gets Tim Hardaway Jr. from Dallas (2 years/$39 Mil remaining).
Dallas gets Chris Paul from Oklahoma City (4 years remaining)
Future 1st round pick from Minnesota (Lottery protected)
Dallas isn't going to do any damage this season if they make the playoff's with Hardaway and Lee isn't expected to play much at all. That would change if they added Paul. He would put the team in a "win now" mode but, their window would remain open for years to come with their young stars, Doncic and Porzingis. Mavs owner Mark Cuban loves to win and I could see him taking on Paul's contract if it will speed up the Maverick's rebuilding plan and possibly making the playoff's this season.
Oklahoma City gets another draft pick to add to their pile of picks and adding Wiggins isn't the worst player to have around while they start to rebuild. Lee's contract would come off the books after this season, giving the Thunder more cap space.
The Timberwolves would be giving up a 1st round pick for what I would expect would be a two-year rental with Hardaway Jr. Who knows though? Maybe Hardaway would take being traded a second time in a little over a year in a way where he would have something to prove and put up some good numbers? Like we have with Wiggins for the last five years... We can always hope.
Tell me what you think in the comments.
Go Wolves!
-Jim Watkins aka Wolves Fan in Dallas
WFD: I like the creativity, but you can't say that Wiggins wouldn't be the worst player to have around in a rebuild in the same article that you really DONT like Wiggins and his work ethic. I agree that OKC may be a partner in getting Wiggins out of Minnesota, given that CP3 is an even bigger albatross financially to a team that is clearly going to build around Shai G-Alexander and Adams. I also don't see the Wolves wanting CP3 (smaller Jimmy Butler). Maybe Dallas gets involved, but I think they prefer Luka with the ball and they have a ton of small shooters and actually could use Courtney Lee and Hardaway. How about OKC trading CP3 to Miami for Miles Leonard and Wiggins, and Wolves get Dragic and Dion Waiters? Miami gets CP3 to add to Butler and Winslow. OKC sheds $22 million in cap space next year if the don't sign Leonard and $11 million a year on Wiggins v Paul difference. We get expiring contracts in Dragic (another $19 million off the books to go along with Teague's $19 mill) and Waiters is gone the following year for another $12 mill)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Wiggins early max extension is one of the moves the Twolves have made in recent years that can make us cringe. He's making close to what Giannis is making. I don't know why OKC gets to be the landing spot for him, when I think there may be something the NYK, ATL, and even WAS might have use for him.
ReplyDeleteAtlanta, New York... Wherever is just fine. It wouldn't matter as long as he goes anywhere but Minnesota.
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