The headline is a nightmare scenario for fans of the Timberwolves. After watching Kevin Garnett switch from a Wolves uniform to a Celtics uniform in 2007, the last thing fans want is to see is a report of Love being courted by a bigger market.
Unfortunately, Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the New York Knicks have a plan to try to convince Love to play at Madison Square Garden if Love opts out of the final year of his contract with the Wolves in 2015.
“Almost assuredly, Love will exercise his early termination option in two years and take a strong look at where the free-agent landscape stands with the T’wolves,” Adrian Wojnarowski writes in the report. “He could re-sign a longer, richer deal with Minnesota, or chase big-market platforms in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and perhaps elsewhere.”
Maybe fans are already used to seeing Love’s name in the rumor mill? He was the center of attention last season when he took backhanded shots at former Wolves general manager David Kahn for refusing to give him a five-year max contract.
“I have a very, very good memory, and I always remember the people who have done right by me, and the people who have done wrong by me,” Love told Wojnarowski in October of 2012. “It will be embedded in my brain, and something I won’t forget about. There’s no telling what will happen. I would love to compete for a championship in Minnesota, but …”
How do the Wolves convince Love to stay in Minnesota? Win. Win now.
To do that Minnesota has reportedly put forward Derrick Williams and guard Alexey Shved on the trading block with hopes of bringing in players that can help immediately.
Only time will tell, but Wolves fans should enjoy Love’s stardom while they can, because like Garnett… it might not last forever.
