Timberwolves regret not giving Kevin Love five-year deal
By Sam Richmond
The Minnesota Timberwolves made many mistakes throughout Kevin Love’s time with the team, which ended Aug. 23 when the Wolves dealt the big man to the Cleveland Cavaliers. One of those mistakes was signing Love to a four-year $62 million contract in 2012 when Minnesota had the opportunity to make him their “designated player” and sign him to a five-year maximum contract.
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The decision obviously made Love unhappy and in all likelihood is among the reasons Love is a Cavalier today.
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor finally admitted to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press on Tuesday that the Wolves made a mistake in how they handled Love’s contract situation.
Glen Taylor: "knowing what I know now I would've signed Kevin to the five years."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) August 26, 2014
Glen Taylor: "the only thing I still have a ? About is health. Had a concern (when gave love 4 years) and I still have that concern ..."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) August 26, 2014
While Love has had some injury issues in the past and the Wolves made out very well in their deal with the Cavaliers, acquiring No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins, the team would obviously still prefer to have Love.
He’s a 25-year-old that hasn’t even entered his prime, yet averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this past season.
Taylor and the Timberwolves will forever kick themselves for not giving Love the five-year max, unless Wiggins can reach superstar status.