Report: Timberwolves are 1 of 6 teams to offer trade for Kyrie Irving
The Minnesota Timberwolves are knee deep in the Kyrie Irving trade sweepstakes. They are reported to be one of six teams to make an offer.
The Kyrie Irving trade rumors won’t go away anytime soon. And the Minnesota Timberwolves interest appears to be piqued.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Timberwolves are one of six teams to make an offer for the embattled point guard. The others include the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Miami Heat. He reports around 20 teams asked about Irving, but those are the only six he’s heard of to make a proposal.
Wojnarowski also says the Cleveland Cavaliers are asking for a similar package the Denver Nuggets received back in 2011 when they dealt Carmelo Anthony. If that’s the case that is a HUGE investment by any team.
The #Twolves have made the Cavs an official offer for Kyrie Irving, per @wojespn. So have 5 other teams. No, I don't know the specifics yet. pic.twitter.com/4mBYnAipIx
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 28, 2017
Remember, the Nuggets received Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and Raymond Felton along with a 2014 first round pick. However, they also sent four other players to New York as part of the trade.
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Regardless, Cleveland is right to hold a high bar on any trade for Irving. He’s an All-Star caliber player and one of the best players at his position. He also has two years remaining on what’s really a good contract.
If Minnesota is going to make a move for him, I don’t see a way they wouldn’t be able to include Andrew Wiggins. Neither Jeff Teague, Jamal Crawford nor Taj Gibson can be traded until December 15 so that takes them off the table. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler aren’t going anywhere.
That leaves Cole Aldrich, Tyus Jones, Nemanja Bjelica, Justin Patton and Gorgui Dieng as the only options. In order for salary to match up Minnesota will have to send either Dieng or Aldrich and Jones along with Wiggins.
That would leave the team extremely thin and in search of more depth.
Next: Report: Andrew Wiggins says he's not worth less than max
I know Tom Thibodeau will do anything he can to acquire Irving without giving up Wiggins. At this point, we must put our faith in his hands, as he hasn’t yet done anything to make us question him.