The Cleveland Cavaliers plan to sign top pick Andrew Wiggins this week, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
NBA rumors roundup: Cavaliers plan to sign Andrew Wiggins this week, Knicks eyeing trades
If the Cavs sign Wiggins, he can’t be dealt for a month. In New York, the Knicks are discussing the possibility of trading J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert or Shane Larkin.
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Some believe the Cavs are holding off on signing Wiggins because of his possible inclusion in Kevin Love trade talks. Once Wiggins signs his rookie contract, he can't be dealt for 30 days. However, the delay reportedly has nothing to do with the Love discussions -- Cleveland has to decide what to do with the $1.4 million they have remaining under the cap before signing Wiggins. One possibility is using the space for long-term contracts for second-round picks Joe Harris and Dwight Powell.
As far as the Love negotiations go, the Cavs and Minnesota Timberwolves continue to talk:
Yes, sir. RT @ThisIsMich81: @DarrenWolfson To your knowledge did/are #TWolves/Cavs talking through the weekend?
— Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) July 20, 2014 It remains unclear if Wiggins has actually been included in discussions. While there have been reports that Wiggins has been included, some say otherwise:
2 stories out there. Thoughts are CLE offered Wiggins/Bennett and 1st, MN said yes. Now sources saying after agreeing they asked for more.
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) July 21, 2014 The other story is that they were never offered Wiggins. Hope this helps!
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) July 21, 2014 The wait continues.
Summer of Love
Knicks looking to clear logjam in backcourt
The New York Knicks hope to make a deal to help clear the logjam in their backcourt, according to ESPN New York's Ian Begley. J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Shane Larkin have been mentioned as candidates to be moved, while Tim Hardaway Jr. is "virtually untouchable."
Trade rumors have swirled around Shumpert since the deadline in February. The guard was reportedly included as a sweetener in proposed deals to move Amare Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani, but nothing ever materialized.
Smith is under contract for next season and has a $6.4 million player option for 2015-16. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2012-13, but was a disappointment last season.
Larkin was just acquired in the trade that sent Tyson Chandler to the Dallas Mavericks.
Bird disappointed Pacers lost Lance
The Indiana Pacers lost a key cog in their rotation when Lance Stephenson bolted for the Charlotte Hornets. The Pacers offered Stephenson a five-year, $44 million contract, but the guard wasn't pleased with the offer. However, Stephenson wound up taking a three-year deal worth $27 million. The third year is a team option.
Pacers president Larry Bird was extremely disappointed that Stephenson left, according to Bob Kravitz of USA TODAY:
“I really feel bad about losing him,” Bird said. “I hope it doesn’t interfere with our relationship. But I did what I could possibly do to keep him here. Even if he didn’t have any other offers, I was committed to giving him that $44 million because I believe in the kid. If you look at our roster, we have five or six guys in the last year of their deals, plus David (West) and Roy (Hibbert) can opt out, so don’t you think I wanted to keep Lance and Paul (George) locked into long-term deals?”
It’s especially disappointing considering Stephenson took a contract that will pay him just a bit more annually than what Indiana offered. The deal with the Hornets is shorter, which gives Stephenson the chance to get his next contract quicker when the salary cap is expected to jump in the next few years, but the Pacers reportedly were willing to offer a short-term contract as well.
Indiana rebounded by signing Rodney Stuckey, but the loss of Stephenson still stings.
See More:
