The Kevin Love trade rumors are continuing with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, as Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson could be in play for the Minnesota Timberwolves and this comes as the Cavs have pushed ahead as the frontrunners for the deal after considering putting the number 1 pick from the 2014 draft in a proposed trade that originally included Dion Waiters and Anthony Bennett.
According to ESPN.com, the Cavaliers and Timberwolves are discussing a blockbuster deal involving Kevin Love and number one overall pick Andrew Wiggins and the Cavs would also send 2013 number 1 pick Anthony Bennett in the trade. Chris Broussard reports that the Cavaliers are now willing to give up Wiggins after previously holding him out of the proposed deal and the team also would be willing to give their first round pick for next season.
The Cavaliers previously did not want to deal Wiggins, but LeBron James has made it known that he wants to play with Love and while Broussard writes that a trade appears to be getting close, no deal is imminent. ESPN reports that the Warriors and Timberwolves have also discussed a deal involving Harrison Barnes and David Lee, but they are not willing to deal Klay Thompson. Broussard writes that the Timberwolves may be trying to drive the two teams against each other to get more for Love (or what they really want in Thompson) by having the two teams compete with each other.
Much earlier in the offseason before the draft, the Cavaliers emerged as an option if they were willing to trade their number one overall pick, but after that Love did not sound enthused about going to Cleveland. Things have changed now with LeBron James back with the Cavaliers, as Love now said that he is intrigued about playing with James and the two have previously played together in the world championships and Olympics with USA Basketball.
The Timberwolves are hoping to make one last run at Love if they don't trade him this summer and they also are looking to try and get to the playoffs this year. One of the main reasons Love wants out is that he has not been in the playoffs yet in his six years and now that could be the big point of him leaving if he gets the chance to hit free agency. Love has said that he wants to hit the market and he will get his chance next summer when he can opt out of his contract with the Wolves if they don't trade him by then.
Love has been one of the most consistent players in the league over the past few years and he now has the chance to cash in big. The Cavaliers would be a title favorite with the deal in the east and that would vault the team well above the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers in the division race. The Timberwolves are being patient with the Love deal to see how much they can get and they may pull off a deal this summer or at the deadline depending on how things play out.
