The Cleveland Cavaliers are confident that they will land Kevin Love in a deal with the Timberwolves, but the team may have to make other moves to get it done, as Minnesota may ask the Cavs to take Kevin Martin and his contract, which means more pieces are needed and the Cavaliers may have to trade Anthony Bennett, Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters or other players to make that possible.
This story has a number of moving parts as always, but right now, the Cavaliers are looked at as the favorites for Love, but Marc Stein from ESPN.com reports that the Chicago Bulls are also making a push to trade for Love. The Bulls previously were interested and then fell out and now they could be in the mix and this comes as the Cavs are working to sign Wiggins, who is the top trade target for the Wolves and if they do, it means he cannot be traded for 30 days. Stein writes that the team also is looking at Klay Thompson with the Warriors, but that deal is looking unlikely.
Yahoo Sports writes that the Cavaliers may have to look at some players with non-guaranteed deals to be a part of the trade, as they could be released right away once the deal is complete. The Wolves are looking for a trade here with Wiggins and the ability to create some cap space and the Cavs may have to help them out in this deal by making moves with those players.
Martin has three years on his deal with $21 million left going to him and that is one of the main points of the deal. Wiggins would be the centerpiece along with Bennett, who was the number one overall pick last season and both players are coming off of solid summer league performances.
The Cavaliers originally offered Dion Waiters, Anthony Bennett and a first round pick for Love and that wasn't enough for the Wolves. The team wanted Wiggins and now the Cavs are willing to put him in a deal, but if the Wolves want them to take Martin, they have to work out the salary cap and money situation. Stein writes that the Cavaliers know trading for Love means giving up Wiggins and Bennett along with a first round pick, but if Martin is part of the deal, they need more pieces.
The team has Tristan Thompson and some other players, but they likely do not want to trade them and now they may have to get creative to make it happen. The team may look for a third team to help facilitate the trade and they also may look for some other side deals to help add pieces and get the space right. Stein writes that the Cavaliers feel strongly that they will have the framework ready for a deal and this comes as the Chicago Bulls have also entered the fray.
The Cavaliers are now battling the Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors as they try and pull off the NBA-shaking deal for Love. The Cavs would have a big 3 with Love, LeBron and Irving if a deal went through.