Usually, the happiest player in the NBA Draft is the first overall pick. For starters, he gets the most money and he has the thought that he is the most wanted player of that year. That’s not the case with NBA Rookie Andrew Wiggins.

Wiggins was placed in an awkward situation where he is the main subject of trade talks between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves involving the league’s biggest prize of the moment, Kevin Love. Love is a former rebound king, and consistently averaged more than 26 points and 12.5 rebounds. He is the only player in the league last year to finish Top 5 in points and rebounds (Stats from ESPN).

Kevin Love also led the league in double-doubles (65) and his PER (Player Efficiency Rating) at 26.9 ranks third, behind MVP contenders Kevin Durant and LeBron James. In short, Love is probably a Top 5 player in the league right now.

Cleveland has now placed Andrew Wiggins, one of the most heralded rookies of the decade, in a very awkward situation. When we say “awkward” that seems to be the only way to describe this interview.

Some of the key points (Interview with ESPN Sportscenter):
"I just want to play for a team that wants me. So whichever team wants me I'll play for. At the end of the day you have to remember that the NBA is a business before anything. I'm a rookie. I really don't have too much say. "

Even LeBron James had to wait before he exercised his clout—and look at who gets caught in the crossfire. Wiggins is the most anticipated rookie since LeBron James himself.

There’s also this telling exchange:
“Do you think Cleveland wants you,’ Wiggins was asked.
“Yeah,” he said, after a pause of almost three seconds. “I hope so.”

In the NBA, or even professional sports, athletes must accept that no matter how good they are, they are just pawns in the bigger game. Even LeBron James before, and Andrew Wiggins now.