NBA Rumors: Timberwolves believe they can keep Kevin Love
It has become quite clear to most that Minnesota Timberwolves’ star power forward Kevin Love won’t play for the Timberwolves beyond the 2014-2015 season and could be traded any time between draft night and the NBA trade deadline before he can becomes a free agent in 2015.
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Every team in the league would love to get their hands on Love and at least 16 teams have already called about Love. Although Love’s agent is telling teams he will become a free agent next year no matter what, the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are all expected to be major players for Love.
The Timberwolves still believe they can keep Love because they can offer him so much more money than any other team can in free agency. Not only can the Timberwolves give Love a five-year deal, something no other team can do, but they can give him $27.5 million more than any other team.
“We can sign him to a five-year deal, the last year of his contract would be $27.5 million,” Timberwolves’ president and head coach Flip Saunders said via Sid Hartman of The Star Tribune. “Anybody that is his number of years serviced in the league, that’s what their contract is. To go sign as a free agent anywhere else, he can only sign for four years, so you’re not getting that fifth year.”
Love averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game last season while shooting 45.7% from the field, 37.6% from three and 82.1% from the charity stripe.