With the 2014 NBA Draft just hours away, and the Minnesota Timberwolves apparently taking offers for one of the most sought-after commodities in the league (Kevin Love), rumors will likely keep flying.
We’ll update this post throughout the day with all the new reports, rumors and tidbits as they come in. So check back here to keep up with all the latest news.
Trade of Love remains unlikely (3:46 p.m.)
The Wolves are continuing to discuss possible trades for Love, but the chances of a deal before the start of the draft are looking less likely.
Wolves continue to discuss Love scenarios w/several teams, not just GSW. Very well could hold on to him as well. Gonna be a wild night.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 26, 2014
Odds still against Kevin Love trade materializing tonight but sources insist Wolves & Warriors continue to talk despite Klay Thompson issue
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 26, 2014
The Love situation (12:56 p.m.)
Earlier today, the Denver Nuggets agreed to a trade to acquire Orlando Magic guard Aaron Afflalo, the Denver Post reports. While the move right now doesn’t have a direct impact on Minnesota, it could.
When the Nuggets reportedly entered into the Love sweepstakes, the deal would have centered around forward Kenneth Faried, swingman Wilson Chandler and a third player received as part of a potential trade. The third player was thought to be Orlando guard Arron Afflalo, whom Denver would have acquired by giving up a first-round pick. Instead, the Nuggets surrendered Evan Fournier and a second-rounder in tonight’s draft – meaning the team could acquire Love and still have pick No. 11 (two spots ahead of the Wolves) to grab another asset. Or maybe even involve that pick in the deal for Love.
Wolves President of Basketball Operations (and head coach) Flip Saunders was on KFAN’s Paul Allen show Thursday morning, and said the following when asked about a potential Love deal.
“There’s a lot of things out there, and if we think there’s something that will make our team better we will do that. But I have had a lot of good conversations w/ Kevin recently and the one thing he cares about is he wants to win.”
Flip – "The key to success in the NBA is continuity…I am very confident in the group of guys we have on the team already, Including Love."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) June 26, 2014
He also told Allen the team has four prospects in mind for pick No. 13 who they believe can come in and help win immediately.
Golden State deal still alive (11:30 a.m.)
Meanwhile, the deal with Golden State that was said to be dead apparently isn’t. ESPN’s Chad Ford said on Bill Simmons’ podcast, that Golden State and the Timberwolves have already agreed on a deal, in principle. And last night USA Today’s Sam Amick tweeted talks were never halted, and have continued the whole time. On Thursday, current Warriors swingman Andre Igoudala weighed in on the rumored deal, which would send sharpshooter Klay Thompsons back to the Timberwolves. His reaction on the radio:
Andre Iguodala to Sirius: "I didn't say that I didn't want Kevin Love. Kevin Love would be a great addition but not at the expense of Klay."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) June 26, 2014
Alex Kennedy of NBA Insiders said Thursday non-Love deals are even being impacted by the Love situation.
A lot of potential trades are being held up because teams want to remain in the mix for LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, etc.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 26, 2014
Wolves promise Zach LaVine? (9:45 a.m.)
Alex Kennedy with Basketball Insiders is reporting the Timberwolves have a player in mind for their No. 13 pick.
NBA draft rumor: Multiple league sources believe that Zach LaVine has a promise from the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 13.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 25, 2014
LaVine is a 19-year-old shooting guard who played for the UCLA Bruins last season.
He’s 6-foot-5 and 181 pounds, with a 6-foot, 8-inch wingspan to go with. He averaged 9.4 points per game on 44 percent shooting for the Bruins, while shooting nearly 38 percent on 3-pointers. The Timberwolves ran a profile on LaVine last month, detailing his biggest strength: his explosiveness and athleticism. That was on full displaye this summer during his workout with the Los Angeles Lakers, when the team tweeted this:
.@ZachLaVine testing his vert in today's first session: pic.twitter.com/RN6HkhAZuD
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 4, 2014
That’s a 46-inch vertical, as ESPN notes, which is a Lakers pre-draft record.
Could he be bringing those hops to Minnesota this fall? Kennedy seems to think so. But AP writer Jon Krawczynski isn’t so sure.
Done a lot of digging on TWolves alleged promise to Zach LaVine. Find no evidence to support that. Believe they do have interest in him
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 25, 2014
