There is a lot of chatter being thrown around about the idea that Cleveland needs another elite wing player, such as a Paul George or Jimmy Butler, to have a chance against this Warriors team. Many believe that parting ways with Kevin Love and/or Kyrie Irving in order to acquire one of these said wing players would make the Cavaliers better equipped to deal with the perimeter threats of Golden State.
Given all of this, it got me thinking - what if the Cavs never traded for Kevin Love in the first place and kept Andrew Wiggins in Cleveland to grow alongside Lebron James and Kyrie Irving?
Wiggins, as we all know, is a 6'8" tall athletic specimen who is capable of putting the ball in the basket. As of his third year, he put up nearly 24 points per contest, shot a satisfactory 45% from the field, and a respectable 35% from 3. His PER only stands at a pedestrian 16.62, but given the fact that he plays on a losing, culture-less team, that may be ignored. (note: for all you who aren't aware, Klay Thompson only has a PER of 17.52).
When you throw in the fact that Wiggins could have been playing alongside Lebron James, there's a strong possibility that he would have been able to elevate his game into becoming a more efficient scorer, and perhaps even a better defender. And given that he only just entered the league as a mere 19 year old a few seasons prior, his rookie salary would had been a bargain compared to that of Love's, which would have allowed Cleveland to sign another marquee player in free agency - perhaps that missing 4.
He may not be on the level of a Paul George yet, but given his young age of 22 and vast potential, down the line, under the guidance of a Lebron James, the possibility could have been their for Wiggins to become a star wing player in this league, and perhaps the face of the Cleveland organization.
Games Played: Andrew Wiggins Kevin Love
2014-15 82 75
2015-16 81 77
2016-17 82 60
Looking back at the Love-Wiggins swap, and the fact that the Cavaliers may be looking to deal Kevin in order to acquire an elite wing, did Cleveland make the right decision 3 years ago?
