NBA Trade Rumors: Andrew Wiggins To OKC For Chris Paul And Danilo Gallinari Is Plausible

Andrew Wiggins hasn't transitioned into an All-Star caliber player as he was touted when he was drafted as the number one pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014. The former Kansas standout has failed to impress NBA pundits with his average numbers.

Worse, he seems to have regressed in the past few years, failing to produce under pressure despite the presence of all-around center Karl-Anthony Towns. After underwhelming seasons as a member of the Timberwolves, could the 24-year-old forward benefit from a fresh start in another NBA team?

That notion might not be far fetched. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report suggests that Wiggins could be shipped to Oklahoma in exchange for Danilo Gallinari and Chris Paul.

Aided by a boost of talent from a veteran point guard and a certified all-around forward, the Timberwolves could revamp lob city 2.0 with Towns on the receiving end. As for OKC, they would need a young player to develop, and at 24, Wiggins can still shake off the cobwebs and perform better in a different environment.

Wiggins $147.7 million max-contract (which he signed last year) could spell trouble for teams willing to gamble on the forward's talent. However, the Rockets honored the 34-year-old floor general to a whopping $159.7 million contract last year.

It's not out of the picture considering Chris Paul would receive $38.5 million next season, $41.3 million in 2020 and $41.3 million in 2021 while Gallo is owed $22.6 million for the upcoming season.

If the trade pushes through, monetary considerations wouldn't be much of a problem. Moreover, Chris Paul would be dying to join a title-contending team, and OKC is poised for a long rebuilding concourse.

OKC would also want to give the reins to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an important piece that they got in the Paul George trade. At a vantage point, the deal seems to be advantageous for both teams and Gallinari's inclusion would also mean well for the struggling Timberwolves.

Last season, Wiggins averaged 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 41.2 percent on the field. He had his best production on the 2016-2017 season where he scored 23.6 points per game.

On the other hand, Chris Paul averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. Danilo Gallinari shot an impressive 46.3 clip on the field and 43.3 percent behind the three-point line. He averaged 19.8 points per game with 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists; The versatile Italian forward is currently tearing up the Fiba World Championships playing for his national team.