The Kevin Love trade talks are continuing between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves after the Cavs added Andrew Wiggins to the deal and now Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a first round pick could be traded to get LeBron James a new All-Star teammate in Love and this comes as the Warriors have been in talks surrounding Klay Thompson, who the Wolves are targeting from Golden State.
The Cavaliers previously were not willing to add Wiggins in the deal and now they have done so, but Minnesota wants to try and get as much as they can for Love so they are in no rush to trade him. According to ESPN.com, the Cavaliers at first offered Bennett with Dion Waiters and a first round pick to the Timberwolves, but they wanted more than that in a deal for Love, as he is the top trade target in the league.
Love has been a main target for the Warriors this offseason, but the team has been unwilling to add Klay Thompson to the package and that has held things up. The Warriors have offered Harrison Barnes and David Lee in a deal for the Timberwolves, but the team is looking for more than that and they want Thompson in any target with Golden State. The Warriors are reluctant to split up Thompson and Stephen Curry, especially after hiring Steve Kerr as their new head coach.
Love has made it clear that he wants to test the market and he will have his first chance to do it next summer after the season when he can opt out of his contract. If Love actually hits the market in free agency next year he easily will get a massive contract and teams like the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, NY Knicks, LA Lakers and Suns all will be interested in signing him.
Last season Love was very impressive while averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds and he has spoken numerous times about wanting badly to play in the playoffs after missing the postseason for six years in Minnesota. Love factored into the MVP discussion for the first time this season and he could be a major factor for the Cavaliers as they try and win the east if this deal goes down.
The Rockets were mentioned as a possible destination earlier in the offseason and after the team missed out on Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh, Marc Stein reports that they could pick things back up if they fall out with Cleveland or Golden State. Love has been a main target for some time and everyone is eyeing that 2015 summer to try and snag him and teams like the Lakers and Knicks will try and create cap space if he is not traded.
The Cavaliers see him as a game changer and adding Love would be massive for LeBron James and could make the Cavs into a winner right away. Kyrie Irving, James and Love is a great Big 3 to have and they likely would be the favorites in the east if that deal went down.