[high floorParticipant]

This one stems from Portland’s first round sweep, and rumored discord inside the T-wolves last month.

It was plain to see, that Andrew Wiggins did not fit as well as many hoped with Jimmy Butler last year. His numbers & efficiency are not where they need to be, for a guy whose extension is about to kick in at a 28M per year clip. And its starting to seem that Minnesota is siding with Butler as their guy moving forward. So with rumblings that Wiggins is not happy with his 3rd option role on the team, I have a trade idea to share:

 

• Portland Receives: Andrew Wiggins
• Minnesota Receives: CJ McCollum

 

Why Portland does this deal: I think Portland is going to face strong pressure this offseason to shake up the backcourt. With Damian Lillard making 1st team All NBA, I think he’s the one that stays. Leaving McCollum the odd man out. With Portland being thin on the wing, Andrew has a chance to step right in and be a high-usage, SECOND option for Portland. Which I feel deep inside Andrew wants. He doesn’t have the braggadocious pesonality to be the alpha for a 52-55+ win team. Furthermore, this deal nabs Portland a young & popular NBA player with some untapped upside under contract for the next 5 years. I think it could be sold to the fanbase.

Why Minnesota does this deal: Honestly, I just feel this trade makes Portland better. I expect some disagreements with this. McCollum is a very skilled shooter & shot creator, who can put the defense on it’s heels whether he’s handling the ball or coming off screens. Like Wiggins, he’s durable. Playing 79+ games each of the past 3 seasons. Plus, that is a ton of basketball IQ on the floor with Butler & Towns by his side. Lastly, I feel McCollum is one of those players whose game is going to mature well. Debatable for sure….. but just my opinion. His success is not predicated on athleticism, and he’s a very good decision maker that coach’s can trust to make the right play throughout the course of a game.

*In order for a deal like this to go through though….. Portland has to figure out what to do with Evan Turner. As I don’t think a Wiggins / Turner wing combo is going to get that team anywhere. So dumping Turner with an asset, either a future pick or perhaps a young player like Caleb Swannigan (not Collins), is nearly essential for a trade of this nature to be executed.  

What do you all think?    

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 I would want a draft pick or two as well if I’m Portland. Wiggins starts a new HUGE contract that he hasn’t proved he deserved.  CJ atleast competes every night. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

I’d hesitate if I’m Minnesota. Sure Wiggins might not be happy as a third option behind towns and butler now, but butler is a free agent next summer and who knows if he stays. I always thought of the butler trade more as a bridge to being competitive until the young guys were ready to really take over. Wiggins might be a slight disappointment so far, but he has been far from a complete bust and is still just 22 with plenty of time to turn things around. As much as I like McCollum, if Wiggins reaches his full potential his ceiling as a player is just much higher imo, and it’s too early to give up on that imo. While butler might be their best player right now, I still think Wiggins and towns are the guys they should ultimately be building around.

Provided that it works under the salary cap, I’d take this deal if I’m Portland. It would be not only a way to balance their roster more in the short-term but also give them a higher ceiling moving forward.

[whiteflashParticipant]

 I really like McCollum, both as a player and as a dude, but if this offer’s on the table Portland has to pull the trigger. We’ve basically seen McCollum’s ceiling, and Wiggins hasn’t come close to his. Their numbers last year were much closer than you’d think, and Wiggins is 22 to McCollum’s 26. Think it’d benefit both teams. 

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

 I don’t know if either side would be two keen on this deal…

It honestly comes down to two things.

Who plays better defense

and

Perceived fit with new team.

T-wolves may not want to do it out of fear of upsetting Ownership or Towns,he is friends with Wiggins see Harden trade how K.D wasn’t so keen on them doing that move which could add fuel to making him want to leave come deal number 3(UFA time)…

Portland may not want to do this as they may not want to upset Dame and ruin the Back court chemistry…

But I would say this the fit for both sides would be interesting..

 

 

 

 

 

[whiteflashParticipant]

 Harden asked to be traded.

[mowestenParticipant]

 Portland would have to be drunk to make this move. They just finished bird in the conference with the team they have. Why would you trade a guy who helped make that happen for a guy who doesn’t even want to play basketball?

Portland has some good pieces. They need to find one more good player, preferably someone who can make an outside shot. I love Zack Collins, he’s going to be a good big and they need to be patient with that core group of players and try to build around them not blow it up.

 

[r377Participant]

 Well done high floor you got positives for two trade ideas – not easily done !!!

 

Personally i think wiggins is hard to move.  A $30 mill guy who does nothing but score ineffectively.  Putting him and Lillard together is two guys that play hero ball.  Would remind me of Melo and Iverson – two guys that played hero ball and could never advance in the playoffs for Denver

 

 

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