Star forward Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves has been traded to join the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers were interested in acquiring Love, but were hesitant to include Andrew Wiggins in the trade package with Minnesota. The Timberwolves, however, were not interested in agreeing to a deal with Cleveland that did not include Wiggins. It wasn’t until July 17, reported USA TODAY Sports, that the Cavaliers were willing to include Wiggins in the trade for Love.
With that said, the Timberwolves will receive this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Wiggins; 2013’s top choice, Anthony Bennett; and a 2015 first-round pick.
In addition, the deal included that Love will opt out of his contract in 2015 and re-sign with Cleveland for five years and “$120 million-plus.”
“The precise deal terms have been agreed upon for weeks, but the teams and Love plan to stay silent about the particulars until the trade is announced in 16 days,” Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote. “Part of the Cavaliers’ motivation in making the deal for Love was a belief Love would have ended up with the rival Chicago Bulls in a trade and created a significant obstacle in the Eastern Conference, sources said.”
The trade cannot be finalized until August 23rd because Wiggins signed a rookie contracted on July 24th. Players cannot be traded until 30 days after signing a new contract.
Love, a three-time NBA All-Star, will soon be a part of Cavalier’s Big Three, along with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
