I believe both Malik Monk and Andrew Wiggins need a change of scenery because it just is not working out so on their respective teams. Andrew Wiggins could be the leading scorer for the Hornets which is something they lack at the moment, I could see PJ Washington or even Dwyane Bacon growing into that leading scorer but why not put a player like Andrew Wiggins in that role and fill out the starting 5 with defense and shooting. The Hornets could run
a lineup of Rozier-Bacon-Wiggins-Bridges-Zeller which would boast a ton of versatity and the Hornets would have 4 athletes who play above the rim. Let’s face it the Hornets are not a preferably free-agent destination at the moment and their is a lack of talent at the moment which is everything Wiggins possesses.
For the Wolves they receive Batum who has 2 years left on his deal but could provide veteran leadership and even start at Wiggins’s position. Malik Monk could start alongside Jarrett Culver or be a flamethrower off the bench for the Wolves as they look to play an up-tempo style with new Head Coach Ryan Saunders at the helm. Early on in Monk’s career he was not one of Steve Clifford’s favorites due to weak defense and not knowing whether to use Malik as a scorer or facilitator. Monk must improve his play-making ability and defense if he ever wants to become a starter but I am close to sure he will get a ton of offers when he becomes a free-agent due to him being a pure-shooter who can get his own shot off the dribble. The trade benefits both franchises as the Hornets seek an identity after Kemba Walker elected to sign a 4-year deal with the Boston Celtics, we will figure out if Kemba Walker was actually holding the Hornets back like most say.
I’ve never felt the connection between Wiggins and Towns, I felt like they were on their way to becoming a superstar duo after seeing them clobber the 73-9 Warriors at Oracle and both Towns and Wiggins having great games but it is time to flip the chapter in Minnesota. The Wolves are optimistic he will be an all-star this coming season but heading into the trade deadline if he isn’t performing at an all-star level why shouldn’t the Wolves considering gambling on Malik Monk? He would instantly space the floor out more for Towns and Culver to operate and fit in more due to him not being a ball-dominant wing liek Wiggins. And that is where the Hornets come in who do not have a superstar like Karl Anthony-Towns to fall back on and looking at the roster no one could have more upside than Wiggins on their team if James Borrego can find a better way of utilizing Andrew Wiggins.
To conclude I believe the Hornets could use a new face and Andrew Wiggins can be just that, he’d be the face of a franchise in Charlotte and re-direct his legacy as he seeks to shed the bust label NBA fans have put on him due to him not living up to the $147 million dollars Glen Taylor gave him after his career high 23 ppg average 2 years ago. Let me know on the comment section what you think about this trade.
D-NBA 