The Kevin Love trade rumors say that a deal is in place between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, but ESPN reports that a potential trade could be blocked by the NBA if certain reports from Yahoo Sports are true, as it is illegal under league rules for Love to agree to sign a long term contract in the future after the trade goes through.
The report from Yahoo Sports said that the Cavaliers and Timberwolves agreed on a deal that would send Love to Cleveland for Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a first round pick and also that Love would sign a five year deal after opting out next summer. According to ESPN.com, if the report about Love opting out of his contract after next season and agreeing to sign a $120 million contract is true, there is a chance that could run foul of NBA rules and also the fact that Wiggins can't be traded for 30 days comes into play as well.
Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein wrote that the Cavaliers and Timberwolves have not spoken in public at all about the deal because of all the issues involved and the deal cannot be completed until August 23. The NBA rules say that players cannot agree to a deal like that while under contract and the fact that Minnesota and Cleveland haven't said much is due to all those issues and it's likely there is nothing written in stone about the long term deal. The teams will do what they need to do to avoid the NBA blocking the deal and Windhorst and Stein point back to an issue years ago with the Wolves when they were fined money and lost four draft picks after they "promised a lucrative" contract to Joe Smith.
The Timberwolves reportedly are also interested in acquiring Thaddues Young as a replacement for Love and ESPN.com reported that the team could trade Anthony Bennett to get that deal done. As long as the Wolves and Cavs don't have anything down on paper about the future deal, they likely will be in the clear and everyone in the league wants to see Love on a team with LeBron James anyway, as one of their best stars has been toiling away in anonymity and not in the playoffs in Minnesota. The Wolves now will have a young player to build around in Wiggins, while James and Love now can chase a championship.
James made comments about Love and said he would be excited if the deal went through, but he also cited those same NBA rules and did not get too detailed about anything. Love is coming off of a great season after averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds and he gives the Cavaliers a prime player alongside LeBron and Kyrie Irving and it likely makes Cleveland the favorites in the east and for the NBA title. James returned home and now the Cavs are trying to give him a right hand man and it's likely the Wolves and Cavs will find a way to get the deal done.
