Kevin Love could still be added to Team USA’s World Cup roster
By Sam Richmond
Kevin Love withdrew himself from Team USA basketball this summer on July 26 due to his uncertain NBA future, but USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told Chris Haynes of Comcast SportsNet that Love could still be added to the roster at a later date.
"The first game of FIBA World Cup play is Aug. 30. Colangelo says he has to submit a final roster 24 hours ahead of time. If the Timberwolves and Cavaliers execute the much-anticipated trade before the roster submission deadline, Love would be able to play for his country.“Technically it is possible,” Colangelo said to CSNNW.com following Day 4 of Team USA training camp. “But I have to weigh all of the considerations if I were to look at that. Is it fair to the guys who are here putting in the time and effort? How do the teams think about that after the fact? I don’t know. We’ll see how it plays out.“I know it’s an option. I know it’s possible that he could play, but we’ll see.”"
As Colangelo notes, it could be viewed as unfair to other players for Love to be added after missing the training camp that is currently taking place.
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But the fact of the matter is that Love would have been a lock to make the roster had he remained on the team and would be a huge help for Team USA in the tournament.
Love averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds this past season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He will likely be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers at some point , according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.