Kevin Love to the Cavaliers
And with a handshake, it seems that the winner of the Love sweepstakes is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wolves’ owner Glen Taylor admitted over the weekend to the Pioneer Press that a Love trade is eminent at the end of August, around the same time that a deal with Wiggins would be possible (Cavs unable to trade Wiggins until August 23rd, 30 days after signing his rookie contract due to NBA policies on new contracts). Wolves’ fans had a feeling that Kevin Love’s tenure as a Wolf was swiftly approaching an end, as he made it clear that Minnesota was not where he wanted to be after next season. Things really began to heat up (no pun intended) after LeBron James made his reverse decision to return to Cleveland and began recruiting others to join his cavalier quest, one of which was Love himself.
This was followed by reports on Monday that Wolves have a handshake agreement with Cavs to send Love to Cleveland, first reported by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Other pieces of the deal have yet to be determined, but another team can be in the mix. Reports are that Philadelphia’s 26 year old forward, Thaddeus Young, might also end up in a Wolves uniform after shopping him around the league this summer. Young is entering his contract year and has also expressed his interest in testing the free agent market after next season. Who the Sixers would receive has yet to be seen, but chances are either Philly’s own Dion Waiters or the 2013 #1 draft pick, Anthony Bennett. This can also be a chance for the Wolves to dump the expiring contract of JJ Barea (fingers crossed).
Although Wolves and Cavs might be on the same page, there is a chance that things might change within the following weeks, as the Bulls and Warriors are still in the hunt for Love. As fellow Fansided blogger Valerie Morales points out, there is still time for this deal to fizzle out. “They can’t be 100% sure if Minnesota, with time on its hands, has something else in play. Or if the deal will all fall apart. Or if the Timberwolves will get a better offer in the interim. Or if the Wolves will back out at the last minute. Such things have happened before,” referencing the case of Byron Scott and James Worthy not going to Dallas in 1986.
Over the weekend at the NBA rookie photo shoot, Andrew Wiggins was asked about his future with the Cavs that ended with awkward results. Not so awkward, however, was the awesome dunk fest that these young guns put on, check it out! I bet Wolves fans are salivating at the idea of a fast break with Rubio, Wiggins, LaVine, and Robinson III.
It can only be a daydream at this point, as the deal has yet to officially go through. But as things stand, Wolves fans can get excited about a new chapter in Minnesota. What do you think about the deal? Please comment below or tweet me @DeeSportingSota with your thoughts.
Nov 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) and Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) hug before the tip off at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports