20th Pick
Rumors have swirled recently that Jimmy Butler isn’t a fan of Andrew Wiggins, and if one player is the odd man out in Minnesota, it would be Wiggins over Butler or Towns. However, he is making $25 million a year starting next season, a number that his current production doesn’t really warrant. With that being said, he is a former number 1 pick, and his potential is still that of a top 20 player in this league.
If the Phoenix Suns believe they can get the best out of Andrew, then this trade could be ab absolute steal for the Suns in the long run. Wiggins has just as much offensive ability as T.J. Warren, with perhaps the potential to be even better. The same can be said about his defense, as his athleticism alone keeps him serviceable at that end. If he were to put in the effort and play hungry, he could become a star in this league, and more than worth his price tag.
For the Suns, this trade is predicated on their belief in Wiggins’ growth as a player going forward. If they don’t like what they see, then this trade simply doesn’t happen. They also swap first and second round picks this year, moving back 4 spots in the first round. In return they move up 11 spots in the second round.
Minnesota gets a scoring small forward in Warren on a better contract, and an expiring veteran deal in Chandler. Both players help them win now, and improve their contract situation moving forward as well. If 2017 never happened, Wiggins’ trade value would be much higher than it is. This trade has the potential to be a win-win for both teams, a bit of a rarity these days when it comes to trades. It would all depend on Andrew Wiggins.