It seemed like just a matter of time before the Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to a trade involving Kevin Love. However, the longer they wait, the more it appears Love might remain on the roster through his contract. The Timberwolves had a chance to trade him prior to the NBA Draft, but held off. Now they have multiple teams throwing trade packages their way and yet they still have yet to make a move. Love is hoping he gets some kind of say in where he lands as NBA experts are still convinced the forward is dealt before the 2014 season begins.
The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the two major players in the race for Love. According to Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders, Love prefers a trade to the Warriors, noting that his West Coast roots and friendship to Stephen Curry make Golden State his ideal destination in a deal with Minnesota. There is one issue with a trade to Golden State, Klay Thompson.
Yahoo! Sports reported that the Warriors were making Thompson available in a deal for the Love even though they were against that idea for most of the offseason. However, Sam Amick of USA Today Sports is reporting that head coach Steve Kerr has no intentions of letting Thompson go since he will work perfectly in the team's defensive scheme for the upcoming season. Thompson is one of the better young assets in the league and the Warriors have taken notice, still uncertain if they will strike a deal involving him or not.
Love's interest in Golden State might be a surprise considering he is being recruited by the best player in the league to come to Cleveland. LeBron James has reportedly been in contact with Love and believes that if traded, the forward will re-sign a long-term contract with the Cavaliers. According to Mark Stein of ESPN, the Cavaliers have offered Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett in deal, one most would say is the best Minnesota can get for the forward. Kyrie Irving has heard the rumors regarding the forward, but is not putting too much stock into them.
"This whole free-agent period has been a whirlwind, so many rumors, so many guys with inside sources," Irving said, via ESPN.com. "Until it happens and I get a call from our GM ... other than that, I haven't considered it."
Love will not get a say in where he goes in a trade. However, the forward will have his pick of teams if he can manage to not get dealt until free agency. If that happens, many teams come into play for the forward including the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.