The Cleveland Cavaliers have faith. They had faith when it came to getting LeBron James in free agency and they have confidence when it comes to escalating a trade for Kevin Love. There is heavy competition for the forward including the Minnesota Timberwolves who are under the impression they can retain him for the long term. Despite interest coming from at least four teams in the league, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor likes the team's chances to keep Love around.
Love has already made it clear that he intends to test the market come 2015 which has since opened him up for multiple trades. The Timberwolves held off on a deal prior to the NBA Draft and could possibly hold off on one altogether. Taylor noted that he maintains the belief that Love's future very much includes Minnesota no matter what the forward has said in the past.
"My preference is that Kevin will come to [training] camp -- and I'm sure he will -- and play with the team," Taylor said, via NBA TV. "We are going to look at everything that makes sense that would make our team better. But we are not going to move a superb player like [Love] without getting equal or more value back. I say back to Kevin, 'Well, that's all I want, too."
Love has said that he ideally wants a change of scenery, preferably somewhere that includes the playoffs. The forward has yet to make the postseason in his six years with the Timberwolves and wants that to change in his next contract. Taylor admitted that the only way Love is sent packing this offseason is if the Timberwolves received an offer of equal or greater value. Cleveland believes they have that.
According to Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders, the Cavaliers have the confidence that they can be the team to land Love in a trade. Right now, they are not willing to give up No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins, the player that Minnesota wants the most. Instead, Cleveland is offering up a first-round draft pick along with players like Anthony Bennett, Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson. They believe that is a fair trade for Minnesota. So far the Timberwolves are not budging.
There is no telling just how desperate Cleveland is for this trade. It can be assumed James is pushing for this to be completed. Considering the forward is working on a two-year contract, there is incentives for the Cavaliers to get this done. Could they get desperate enough and send Wiggins packing? Many NBA general managers believe Wiggins is too valuable to trade, but if it means getting Love in return, Cleveland might make the move.
