NBA Offseason 2014 - Page 70

Cleveland Receives: PF Kevin Love ($15.7), SG Corey Brewer ($4.7)

Minnesota Receives: SG Andrew Wiggins ($5.5), PF Thaddeus Young ($9.4), PF Anthony Bennett ($5.6), PG John Lucas III ($1.6) and Cleveland's 2018 first-round pick.

Philadelphia Receives: SG Dion Waiters ($4.1), PG J.J. Barea ($4.5), C Brendan Haywood ($2.2), PF Malcolm Thomas (950k) and a 2015 first-round pick (via Miami from Cleveland).

Cleveland is obviously the big winner here, as they get a transcendent talent in Love. While forfeiting two first-round picks, Wiggins, Bennett and Waiters might not be viewed as ideal, that's right along the line of what true superstars like Carmelo Anthony have gone for in the past.

Acquiring Corey Brewer helps after moving so much depth, as his improved corner three-point shooting, length defensively and athleticism in transition are a perfect fit next to Love and James on the wing.

For Minnesota, this isn't a bad haul at all. Wiggins is the big prize, but getting Young and Bennett can fortify the frontcourt along with Pekovic and Gorgui Dieng going forward. There's some trade flexibility and interesting pairings in that group.

Lucas is on a non-guaranteed deal that can be waived, and getting Barea off the books makes sense with free agent Mo Williams signing with the team.

Basically, this allows Minnesota to stay somewhat competitive while getting two former No. 1 overall picks as well as a future draft choice. This should stave off a lengthy rebuilding period at the least.

The acquired 2018 first-round pick is a bet that James will go somewhere else between now and then, and for that reason it's probably more valuable than a pick slated to come over sooner.

or Philadelphia, this is a wager that Waiters figures it out and settles into his role, whether that be as a high-usage shooting guard or an electric sixth man. Even if that doesn't happen, though, the 76ers aren't taking on much risk here. A rookie-scale player and a future first-round choice isn't a bad haul for Young.

Haywood's contract for 2015-16 is non-guaranteed, Barea is on an expiring deal and could be flipped somewhere else and Thomas is non-guaranteed, although he's an intriguing keeper as a rebounding machine for Philadelphia's youth movement.

The pick via Miami (top-10 protected in 2015 and 2016, unprotected after) is a bet that Dwyane Wade can't stay healthy and that things fall apart post-LeBron. Even if the selection ends up in the early 20s, that pick still has value.