Kevin Love rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers looking for parts to complete trade
Since LeBron James decided to leave the Miami Heat in a favor of a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Cavaliers have been connected to Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love. Armed with the number one overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, forward Anthony Bennett, the number one overall pick of last month’s draft, swingman Andrew Wiggins, and several other future draft picks, the Cavaliers are now considered the favorites to land Love.
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According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Cavaliers are searching for other pieces to include in a deal for Love.
"Cleveland’s discussions with Minnesota have escalated with the Cavaliers’ willingness to include No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins in the deal, sources said. Without Wiggins, there’s no other combination of Cleveland players and picks that would interest Minnesota. Once Wiggins signs his rookie contract, a trade involving him can’t be formally completed for 30 days.The Cavaliers are working to obtain non-guaranteed contracts that could be a part of a package for Love, allowing the Cavaliers to deliver players that could be released immediately upon completion of a deal, sources said. This would give Minnesota salary-cap relief as part of a trade."
James averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 56.7% from the field, 37.9% from three and 75.0% from the charity stripe last season. 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 last season. Bennett averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 35.6% from the field, 24.5% from beyond the arc and 63.8% from the free throw line. Wiggins averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game for the Jayhawks last season while shooting 44.8% from the field, 34.1% from beyond the arc and 77.5% from the free throw line.