LeBron left Wiggins out of Cleveland return letter because he 'didn't know the kid'

Let's go back to the summer of 2014.

LeBron James made his homecoming to the Cleveland Cavaliers that July, famously announcing it via a letter through Sports Illustrated. One passage in particular stood out:

I think I can help Kyrie Irving become one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help elevate Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. And I can't wait to reunite with Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates.

Not mentioned of course, was the player drafted first overall by the Cavs a mere 15 days earlier, one Andrew Wiggins.

Eyebrows were raised, and conspiracy theories flew like birds: Wiggins hadn't signed with James' agent, Rich Paul. LeBron was with Nike; Wiggins, Adidas. Ultimately, conventional wisdom settled on the idea that James wanted another established star on board in his pursuit of Cleveland's first professional sports championship in five decades.

The same day James announced his return, rumors linking Kevin Love to the Cavs began. A month later, Wiggins was on his way to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Now, 18 months on, James explains it by saying he simply didn't know Wiggins.

"I didn't know the kid, really," James told Yahoo Sports' Michael Lee. "I knew Dion. I knew Kyrie. I knew Tristan. I knew all the guys that I was playing with before. I didn't know the kid, so it wasn't no big issue to me."

It's an interesting response, given Wiggins entered the NBA as perhaps the most hyped prospect since, well, James himself. In his defense, in the weeks preceding his return to the Cavs, he may have been preoccupied with Shabazz Napier while still a member of the Miami Heat.

In all seriousness however, the deal can't be faulted from the Cavs' perspective. While the idea of LeBron mentoring Wiggins was tantalizing, James simply would not have returned to Cleveland if he couldn't contend for a title immediately. Love wanted out of Minnesota, and the rest is history.

James didn't totally give Wiggins the cold shoulder. He added the presence of Kevin Garnett with the Wolves is beneficial for the 20-year-old Canadian.

"I think the best thing that happened to him was him getting KG," James said. "KG has been through it, seen it all and he can light that fire."

Wiggins is happy where he landed, even if the winning percentages differ.

"I don't even think about it," Wiggins said. "Being traded, that's going to happen in basketball ... it put me in a better place."

The Cavs visit the Timberwolves on Friday night.