The Philadelphia 76ers know they want Andrew Wiggins and are trying to move up in the draft in order to ensure they don't lose their man, according to Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News.
Sixers reportedly attempting to acquire No. 1 pick from Cavaliers to draft Andrew Wiggins
Philadelphia is high on the Canadian wing player and wants to secure its right to draft him in the first round.
Andy Lyons
According to league source, Sixers in full court press with Cleveland to get No. 1 pick. "They really, really, really want Wiggins."
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) June 26, 2014 Why this makes sense
Wiggins would bring defense to Philadelphia, something the Sixers need greatly. The Kansas product will likely be able to contribute on that end of the floor right away, a stark contrast to most lottery picks.
For Cleveland, moving out of the top pick seems to be a logical choice after Joel Embiid's injury forced the team to adjust a week ago. The Cavaliers already have young prospects at the shooting guard and power forward position, and with both Wiggins and Jabari Parker at the top of the draft, Cleveland has reportedly been shopping the pick all week.
The Sixers would likely have to move another player if they swap their No. 3 pick to the Cavs. Tony Wroten or Thaddeus Young seems most probable, as that would give added depth to the value for Cleveland. Pairing Wiggins with Michael Carter-Williams would be a deadly tandem, and while GM Sam Hinkie continues on his rebuild in Philadelphia, that's a great place to start.
Why this doesn’t make sense
We’ve already had reports this week that the Cavaliers were offered the No. 3 pick and Young but there was little movement. What else the Sixers are throwing in might be the key here. If Philly is trying to add Wroten to the deal or get a third team involved, the question becomes about what Hinkie is leveraging on Wiggins and Wiggins alone.
It’s a big ask, and the issue will inevitably come back to whether or not Wiggins pans out as a complete player. He’s freakishly athletic, but the knock about Wiggins is that he has been lackluster in effort at times.
The cupboard is already bare in Philadelphia, and if the Cavaliers are able to raid all the useful bits, then it would appear the Sixers are in for yet another below 30-win season. So much for a quick rebuild.
Likelihood it happens
If the Sixers have already offered Young and the No. 3 pick and are continuing to pursue it, then you’d have to guess consistency pays off. The right time to strike as an opposing GM is when it’s public knowledge a trade partner is dying to grab a certain player. Inequities are there for the taking, and with the Cavaliers reportedly going back and forth between Wiggins and Parker, I’d say it’s a 7/10 chance this deal happens. Grade: B
Update at 5:48 p.m. EST: Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski is now reporting that the Sixers are no longer pursuing a trade with Cleveland for the No. 1 pick. This could solidify Embiid at No. 3.
Philadelphia is no longer pursuing a deal with Cleveland for the No. 1 pick, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 26, 2014
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