Kevin Love trade: Deal won't fall apart

After months of speculation, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a deal that will send star power forward Kevin Love to the Cavaliers in exchange for a first round pick and the last two number one overall picks, swingman Andrew Wiggins (2014) and forward Anthony Bennett (2013).

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The trade cannot be completed until August 23 – 30 days after Wiggins signed his rookie contract. That has led to speculation the Golden State Warriors could change their mind and offer guard Klay Thompson to the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, according to Yannis Koutroupis of Basketball Insiders, the deal will not fall apart.

"Initially there was some speculation that the Golden State Warriors could swoop in and derail this deal, but an agreement in principle is basically binding. If either team were to back out, they would have a hard time doing business with any other team in the league. Plus, the Timberwolves are not doing this deal because they couldn’t get Klay Thompson. Sources say they were always confident they could acquire Thompson, but preferred the Cavaliers’ package from the outset. Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a first-round pick is enough outgoing salary for the Cavaliers to acquire Love since both teams are non-tax payers. That deal is going to happen. It could expand, though."

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.

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Kevin Love trade: Deal won’t fall apart

By Andrew Melnick | Aug 7, 2014