This all started earlier this afternoon when Bob Finnan of the News Herald and Morning Journal reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers are now willing to include Andrew Wiggins in a hypothetical trade for Kevin Love. Finnan's report was followed up by some confirmations, and also some rebuttals.
Indeed, Cavaliers have put Andrew Wiggins on table in their effort to acquire Kevin Love from Timberwolves who been firm in trade demands.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) July 17, 2014
I'll stick with what I know, and what I know is #Cavs have not offered Wiggins in a deal for Love.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) July 17, 2014
Source: Cavs now offering #1 pick Andrew Wiggins in trade offers for Kevin Love. @BobCavsinsider 1st to report
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 17, 2014
Talks with Timberwolves ongoing, but Cavs standing firm on keeping Andrew Wiggins, sources say. @FOXSportsOH story: http://t.co/9eddeS4Pyp
— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 17, 2014
So basically, nobody really knows anything.
Except one thing that is probably true is that LeBron James would like to play with Love. Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the two have spoken about playing in Cleveland.
LeBron James has reached to tell Kevin Love of his desire for them to play together with the Cavaliers, front office sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 17, 2014
It's not really a surprise that LeBron would want Love on his team. I believe that he was genuine when he said that he wants to be a mentor, but don't think for a second that he doesn't also want to win right away. Adding Love to the mix would make the Cavs the prohibitive favorites in the East.
This obviously does not necessarily mean that LeBron would want the Cavs to give up Wiggins to make it happen, or that the Cavs should trade Wiggins. But I do think that David Griffin will ultimately do whatever it takes to get Love to Cleveland.
One other quick thought: LeBron is recruiting! He supposedly never did that during his first stint, but he's clearly doing it this time. That's a very good thing.