The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached a fork in the road when it comes to the direction of their franchise. According to Yahoo Sports, the team has officially agreed in principal to trade Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Love being a franchise star the task now becomes what the Timberwolves do to replace him. While getting two young stars in return for the forward, who is the next target?
The trade for Kevin Love does not involve the Philadelphia 76ers. It was reported earlier that in order for the Cavaliers to make a deal work, they would have to get a third team involved to please the Timberwolves. The 76ers were an obvious pick because they have cap space and are looking always looking for young assets. The rumored player involved was Thaddeus Young so with the Kevin Love deal not involving Philadelphia, will Young still be dealt?
According to the New Jersey Star Ledger, the Timberwolves are still interested in a trade for Young in a separate transaction. The 76ers were eying Anthony Bennett or Dion Waiters in the three team trade, but with that off the table, the team is questioning whether or not to deal the forward. The Timberwolves are interested in pairing alongside Andrew Wiggins and Bennett once the Love deal is finalized, but do they have enough to please the 76ers?
Young still has two years remaining on his contract with a player option in 2015. He is valued at $19.3 million and general manager Sam Hinkie cannot decide whether or not to deal him. Hinkie previously said that he expects Young to be a starter for Philadelphia in 2014, but that was before the Timberwolves began showing interest in a trade. The Timberwolves like the idea of Young being the replacement of Love, but the team lacks the assets to pull the deal off unless they are trading someone like Ricky Rubio.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst suggests that a potential deal for the 76ers could be Bennett and Kevin Martin in exchange for Young. Financially the deal adds up, but is Bennett worth it to the 76ers? The former No. 1 draft pick failed to make an impact with the Cavaliers last season showing plenty of rookie mistakes. Philadelphia would have to be sold on his potential. Young is likely gone at the end of this upcoming season anyways so getting youth on the roster is not a bad idea.
