It seems past the “if” stage with Kevin Love now. The question is “when.”
The NBA hot stove has been refined to one intense rumor mill: Where will the Timberwolves ship their disgruntled All-Star power forward? As the trade talk intensifies, the Cavaliers appear to be the favorites to acquire Love — with the Bulls and Warriors lurking.
On Tuesday, LeBron James’ Cavaliers — currently the betting favorite to make the NBA Finals out of an anything-can-happen Eastern Conference — traded Carrick Felix, a 2015 second-round draft pick and cash to Utah for John Lucas III, Erik Murphy and Malcolm Thomas.
Why is this of note? All three players have non-guaranteed contracts for next season, making them more attractive trade chips for a potential deal with the Timberwolves, who aim to cut salary.
The linchpin of a potential deal between the Cavaliers and Timberwolves is Andrew Wiggins, who was taken with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft last month. Once Wiggins signs his rookie contract, he officially cannot be dealt for 30 days, though the terms can be agreed upon.
Sources have told ESPN the Cavaliers’ offer for Love would be Wiggins, Anthony Bennett (last year’s No. 1 overall pick) and a future first-round draft pick. A source close to the process told ESPN the deal is “destined” to happen.
On Wednesday, a SheridanHoops.com report stated the Bulls offered Taj Gibson and rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic for Love. That potential trade could not be made official until Aug. 22 because McDermott and Mirotic signed their rookie contracts Tuesday.
That leaves the Warriors on the outside looking in to these trade sweepstakes, as they refuse to include shooting guard Klay Thompson in any offer.