With the Kevin Love trade finalized, eyes now shift to the Philadelphia 76ers. For several weeks it was being reported that the 76ers would be involved in the deal for Love as a third team to ease the burden for the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Love trade went down without Philadelphia, leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves without a replacement for the forward. Will they still strike up a deal with Thaddeus Young as the intended target?
According to Yahoo Sports, the Timberwolves were interested in a trade for Young whether it was part of the Love trade or not. Young currently has two more years on his current contract with 2015 being a player option. Essentially, the forward is gone at the end of the upcoming season, leaving him open for trade rumors. 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie is not thrilled that Young continues to be tossed around in trade talks, noting that he believes the forward will be in uniform and starting for them next season. According the NBA Insider Darren Wolfson, Hinkie is not happy about all of the Young trade talk because now Philadelphia is losing leverage for a contract extension.
The Timberwolves have interest in acquiring Young, but do not like the package they would have to provide to receive him. Bleacher Report suggested the Timberwolves would have to sacrifice Anthony Bennett and possibly Kevin Martin for Young. Bennett will be acquired in the Love trade. Philadelphia does not want Bennett. Adrian Wognarowski of Yahoo Sports reports the 76ers have no interest in the former No. 1 draft pick, making any potential deal complicated for the Timberwolves.
Minnesota also has no interest in dealing Martin who would likely be involved in a trade for Young. According to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, the Timberwolves intend on holding on to Martin and Corey Brewer since they provide veteran leadership and scoring. Brewer is signed through the season with a player option for 2015 worth $5 million. Martin is more expensive with a deal through 2016 and is owed $21 million over that time.
Young does not appear to be headed anywhere. Unless the Timberwolves were to offer someone like Ricky Rubio, the deal will not be finalized. Bennett is not the prospect teams thought he would be and Wiggins is staying put in Minnesota for a while. If the Timberwolves are going to replace Love, they will have to wait until the 2015 offseason and make a run in free agency.
