The Minnesota Timberwolves will likely trade Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers before the end of the month as Wolves owner Glen Taylor conceded that their All-Star forward will get what he wants.
Taylor told the Pioneer Press that a deal for Love will most likely happen on Aug. 23 or Aug. 24, creating speculations that the trade will be with the Cavaliers for Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, and a future first-round pick.
It should be noted that Wiggins cannot be traded until Aug. 23 after signing his rookie deal on July 24. Under league rules, a team cannot trade a rookie within 30 days after signing a contract.
"I'm saying it's most likely because Kevin has made it pretty clear that that's what he wants to do," Taylor said.
Taylor insisted that he wants to keep Love in Minnesota, but quickly added that trading the All-Star forward would give them a brand new look and a fresh approach in the next several seasons under team president and coach Flip Saunders.
"I think when you move somebody like Kevin, who's been an all-star, that you've got to get a number of players on your team that have the potential of replacing him," Taylor said. "Flip has looked at this team and offensively, he's got a pretty good team. Defensively, it's got to be better, so I think that's where some of the areas will be replaced."
Sources said that Love, who averaged 26.1 points to go along with 12.5 rebounds per game, will not sign a contract extension even if traded to the Cavaliers.
However, the 25-year-old power forward won't sign an extension only because he can get a better deal in the offseason. Sources indicated that Love is very interested in playing alongside LeBron James in the long run.
"Sources told ESPN.com earlier this month that Love is highly intrigued by the idea of playing alongside Olympic teammate LeBron James on a full-time basis and is not put off by the fact that James' new contract with the Cavs spans only two seasons and includes a player option to return to free agency next summer," ESPN reported.
