"I thought this was a chance for me to start fresh." – @kevinlove on choosing the #0, which also represents Oregon. pic.twitter.com/JbMLVoN19n
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 26, 2014
Former Wolves forward Kevin Love was introduced as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday. Love, who spent six seasons with the Wolves, was traded to Cleveland on Saturday for Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young.
There were some interesting revelations in Tuesday’s press conference. According to the Cleveland Plains Dealer, Cavs general manager David Griffin said they have been in trade talks with the Wolves superstar for 18 months.
Love said he had spent some time in Cleveland getting to know some of his new teammates.
"I feel like I'm really going to be able to go out and play my game. It's gonna be a great opportunity for me. " – @kevinlove
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) August 26, 2014
Love added that he and LeBron have had a relationship for years and that he’d always dreamed of playing alongside of him one day.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Love said.
"I remember our first conversation on the phone. I told him I was in." – @kevinlove on discussing the #Cavs with @KingJames
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) August 26, 2014
Love hasn’t signed an extension with Cleveland and has said he does plan to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, but that he is committed to the team long term.
After last season, Love told the Wolves he would opt out of his contract and wouldn’t return if he wasn’t traded. That set the wheels in motion for an offseason filled with rumors and reports about where he could be dealt.
.@kevinlove on how he wants MN to view him: "Just as a guy who worked extremely hard…and tried to fit into that Minnesota Nice lifestyle."
— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) August 26, 2014
Love acknowledged his relationship with Wolves’ fans was rocky at times.
“But saying I didn’t enjoy my time in Minneapolis wouldn’t be doing it right,” he said. “I loved my time there.”
The Wolves won 40 games last year – the most the team had won in a season with Love on the team. They were still two games below .500 and failed to qualify for the playoffs.
#shotsfired RT @FOXSportsLive: "LeBron and I have talked about how I need to mentally prepare to play into June."- @kevinlove
— Tyler Mason (@tylermason21) August 26, 2014
Love will wear number 0 in Cleveland.
The Wolves also introduced Wiggins, Bennett, Young and rookie Zach Lavine during a press conference at the Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday.
