The Cavaliers remain the most likely destination for Kevin Love, given the package they have to offer along with Love’s apparent willingness to commit to re-upping in Cleveland now that LeBron James is firmly in place.
But if the Timberwolves are going to give up their All-Star big man who is the face of their franchise, rebuilding pieces aren’t going to be enough in exchange for cutting him loose.
[MORE: Cavs gain pieces for a Kevin Love deal]
Minnesota is going to also want to put itself in a better position to add talent moving forward, and that means getting out from under some less-than-desirable contracts. Cleveland, in pursuit of immediate championship contention, doesn’t want them, which means a third team would need to be involved to make everybody happy.
And there are a few that are willing to help facilitate this deal.
From Sean Deveney of Sporting News:
Multiple sources told Sporting News this week that teams are flocking to potential deals that would send Love to Chicago, Cleveland, Golden State or elsewhere, hoping to facilitate a trade by adding players, cap space or draft picks. …
Sources told Sporting News that Philadelphia and Denver, again, are interested in participating in whatever deal happens for Love. Denver has interest in acquiring Love themselves, while the Sixers would like to facilitate a trade by including forward Thaddeus Young.
Boston, another source said, would like to acquire Love, but would be willing to include some part of its trove of draft picks if they would help bring in a player who can contribute immediately.
The Sixers have the cap space to absorb just about anyone that Minnesota would like to get rid of, with J.J. Barea and Kevin Martin likely to be at the top of that list. Martin’s skill set would be a nice fit in Denver, though he’s owed more than $21 million over the next three years. Boston, meanwhile, needs guys who can play as the team continues its own rebuilding, so exchanging a draft pick or two for somebody might make some sense.
[MORE: Coach K would trade Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love with ‘not one second of hesitancy‘]
What’s clear is that this trade seems to be moving forward, and that Love will eventually land with the Cavaliers.
The Bulls have made their push, but Cleveland’s offer of young promising talent and other teams’ willingness to take on Minnesota’s past mistakes should ultimately be too good for the Timberwolves to pass up.
