The race for Kevin Love appears to be down to one team. The Cleveland Cavaliers have everything the Minnesota Timberwolves want in exchange for the forward, they just have to put together the appropriate package. ESPN.com confirms that the Timberwolves and the Cavaliers were engaged in trade talks on Wednesday and there is growing belief that a deal could happen very soon, the only question remains as to who will be involved in the trade package.
According to Sam Amico of the FOX Sports Ohio, there is growing belief that the Cavaliers would prefer to trade No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins instead of someone like Dion Waiters in the deal for Love. There are certainly pros and cons to this idea. Wiggins ceiling for improvement looks to be through the roof and it appears he is going to be an effective guard in the league. However, the Cavaliers appear to be favoring the "sure thing" of Waiters considering he has already proven he can be a quality member of the roster.
Waiters has been on the trade block for the better part of a year. Several teams almost pulled a deal for him during the mid-season trading period last year, but he remained on the roster. Now working out with Team USA basketball, Waiters noted that he is confident he can be a starter for the Cavaliers next season. If that were to happen, it is likely because Wiggins was traded.
ESPN reports that league officially believe a deal for Love will include Wiggins and former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett along with a future first-round draft pick. However, if that deal were to happen, it cannot take place for just less than 30 days. Wiggins signed his contract with the team a week ago and cannot be dealt for 30 days per NBA rules. The Timberwolves have not shown much interested in players like Waiters or Tristan Thompson, leaving this the best deal for the team.
The Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors were hoping to be competitive in the trade talks for Love, but it appears both teams are backing out. Bulls general manager Gus Forman said he would not rule things out, but the team has no intentions of dealing either Nikola Mirotic or Doug McDermott, making their package not that impressive. The Warriors are in the same boat denying the availability of Klay Thompson.
There is still a chance that Cleveland works out a three-team trade with the Philadelphia 76ers involving Waiters instead of Wiggins. Philadelphia would get the point guard while sending Thaddeus Young to Minnesota to replace Love. There are plenty of options to be looked at, but it appears to be a safe bet that Love is not in Minnesota come next season.
