The Chicago Bulls have re-entered the Kevin Love sweepstakes, but the Cleveland Cavaliers are highly confident that they will eventually obtain the three-time All-Star, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst.
The Cavaliers believe that they are making progress towards acquiring Kevin Love. At this moment, Cleveland is looking to acquire other players to toss into a potential Love trade. Their current offer is Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, and a future first-round draft pick. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves want more.
LeBron James has been intrigued by Wiggins' play in the summer leauge and believes that the young man has superstar credentials. Although James wants to win now and has contacted Kevin Love, letting Love know about his desire to play together in Cleveland.
Andrew Wiggins has yet to sign his contract but is expected to get it done this week. Under league rules, Wiggins cannot be traded for 30 days upon signing his rookie contract. Therefore, the Cavaliers will have to wait a month before making an official trade. Though, both teams can still agree on the framework of the trade and re-visit it next month to make it official.
Moreover, reports say that Minnesota is likely to put Kevin Martin in the deal. Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio is also stating that Gorgui Dieng’s name has come up in trade talks with the Cavs.
Meanwhile, it is believed that Chicago is the biggest threat to the Cavaliers’ pursuit of Kevin Love. Chicago’s offer is unknown for now, but forwards Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler are expected to be the centerpieces of any possibly deal.
The Chicago Bulls recently added frontcourt depth with the signing of Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic. If they are able to acquire Love, they will have to find a way to balance the minutes between Gasol, Love, Mirotic, and Joakim Noah, which is not an easy task.
The Golden State Warriors have been another team highly engaged in Kevin Love trade talks. However, they have fallen behind in the race due to their unwillingness to give up Minnesota’s prime target, Klay Thompson. The Warriors are offering David Lee and Harrison Barnes instead, which does not intrigue the Wolves.
Months ago, it was reported that Love’s preferred destinations are Chicago and Golden State. Nonetheless, since LeBron James agreed to sign with the Cavaliers, Love has added Cleveland to his wish list and has already insisted that he would commit long-term with the Cavs, even though LeBron’s contract is only for two years with a player option after this season.
Minnesota’s owner Glen Taylor is claiming that he will not trade Kevin Love during the off-season. He believes that the Timberwolves will enter the upcoming season with Love still on the roster. Though, Love has made it publicly clear that he will not commit to the Timberwolves in 2015, and rival teams deem that Love will ultimately be dealt.
At this time, the Warriors are pushing themselves out of the race by refusing to include Klay Thompson in the deal, while the Cavaliers are trying to find ways to add more pieces to the trade, and the Bulls are attempting to make a late push for the 25-year old out of UCLA.