The Timberwolves are looking to trade power forward Kevin Love sooner rather than later, according to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News.
Deveney said an unnamed team source is telling him “sooner” could mean before or during the NBA Draft on June 26. Love is entering the final year of his contract and Deveney said Love has told the team he has no intention of signing an extension.
According to Deveney, the market for Love is open, despite Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders telling reporters Sunday he expects Love to play for the Wolves next season.
Deveney’s sources are also telling him the asking price is high; the Wolves are asking for a high draft pick and a young player with star potential in return for the 25-year-old power forward.
The Wolves are looking to trade Love to a team that would be able to sign him to a long-term deal, Deveney says. Yahoo! Sports reported last month the Sacramento Kings were interested in acquiring Love, even though he may not want to sign there after his contract ends next spring.
The Boston Celtics are also a possible trade partner with the Wolves, and rumors have picked up steam after Love’s trip to Boston last weekend. The Celtics have the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft, but Deveney said that a trade might be tough because the only young player that would meet the Wolves’ standards is Rajon Rondo, who Deveney said the team has no plans of trading.
ESPN reporter Ric Bucher told Bleacher Report that he believes the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are also possible destinations for Love. Bucher said his sources are telling him Love would prefer to go to Golden State over Houston, if given the option.
