Proposed NBA Trade Has Warriors Land $132 Million Ex-No. 1 Pick for Wiggins
The Golden State Warriors are aiming to get back into NBA title contention, but the team may need to make a trade in order for this to happen. During a June 28, 2024 live stream, Bleacher Report’s Allen Stiles put together a list of potential moves the Warriors could make this season.
One trade proposal has the Warriors landing Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton. Golden State sends Portland Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney as part of the proposed deal.
Ayton’s price tag would be hefty for the Warriors to pick up as the former No. 1 pick has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $132 million contract. The center is slated to have a $34 million cap hit in 2024-25.
By comparison, Wiggins has three seasons remaining on a four-year, $109 million deal. Wiggins has a $26.2 million cap hit next season for Golden State.
After spending his first five NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Ayton was traded to the Blazers last offseason. Ayton averaged 16.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1 steal per game in 55 starts during his debut season in Portland.
The Warriors Are Preventing Andrew Wiggins From Playing in 2024 Olympics: Report
Tension may be rising between Wiggins and the Warriors. Golden State is not allowing Wiggins to play for Canada in the 2024 Olympics.
“Mutual decision between the Warriors and Andrew Wiggins to prioritize his health and hold him out of Olympics, I’m told,” The Athletic’s Anthony Slater detailed in a June 28 message on X. “Doesn’t preclude GSW from possibly trading him, but it’s a medical decision. Wiggins dealt with an ankle issue late this past season.”
