Even before the start of the 2019-20 season, Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Andrew Wiggins was one of the hottest names in the trade market. However, Minnesota's front office opted to hold on to the former Rookie of the Year winner, which at this point, appears to have been the right decision.
Wiggins has been able to find his form for the Wolves this term, averaging 22.7 points (on 43.9 percent shooting), 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks, while also knocking down 2.0 3-pointers per contest. Nevertheless, despite the 24-year-old's improved play, Minnesota continues to struggle. This team does not look like a contender by any stretch of the imagination, which has led some to believe that revisiting a Wiggins trade deal should be a viable option for the front office.
One team that are reportedly interested in the 6-foot-7 small forward is the Charlotte Hornets. Earlier reports suggested that a package of Nicolas Batum and a future second-round pick would be enough for the Wolves to consider parting ways with Wiggins and the $121 million he is still owed until the 2022-23 season.
For Minnesota, this would be a move that is geared more towards the future, with Batum's deal expiring by the end of the 2020-21 campaign. This should provide the Timberwolves with more financial flexibility, as they hope to emerge as a relevant player in what is looking like a talent-packed 2021 free agency class.
On the other hand, this deal would also make sense for the Hornets. Wiggins represents a potential building block for a franchise that is dire need of one since the summer departure of long-time servant Kemba Walker. While there's no denying that Wiggins has failed to live up to the hype of being the first overall pick in 2014, the former Kansas standout has shown some signs of life this season.
Being free of the huge shadow cast by Karl-Anthony Towns, coupled with a fresh environment might just be the formula Wiggins needs to fulfill his destiny as a bona fide NBA superstar. He will just be turning 25 in February, and he absolutely still has a lot of basketball in front of him.
Charlotte is not exactly a prime destination in free agency, so their best bet in acquiring their next cornerstone superstar would be via a trade deal. The Hornets are also not in possession of too many valuable assets, so perhaps a guy like Wiggins is exactly what's within their radar. There is definitely a lot of risk involved in this potential deal, but at this point, it seems that Charlotte are desperate enough to gamble on Wiggins and his untapped potential.
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