The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly are confident they can re-sign Kevin Love and don't plan to trade him before his contract expires. Despite rumors of the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics being potential suitors, Minnesota's front office reportedly believes a coaching change and "a few roster tweaks" will be enough to convince Love to stay past 2015.
"The popular opinion is that the Wolves have to move Love this summer while they can still control the market in some ways and extract the most value out of a trade involving Love," Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com wrote on Monday. "However, the word around the team is that not only will the Wolves not move their star this summer, there are still some in the organization that believe the right coaching hire and the ability to offer him the most guaranteed money for his services could sway Love into a new long-term deal. ...
"The idea is that Minnesota, when healthy this year, looked like a playoff-caliber team, and with a few roster tweaks and the right coaching hire, the roster is talented enough to compete, even in the West. That, combined with a boat load of money, might be enough to sway Love into staying beyond his current contract."
If the chances of re-signing Love look bleak next season, Minnesota could push to trade him before the deadline. While the Timberwolves have that option, it's a gamble and there's no guarantee a team will essentially be desperate enough to rent Love for half of a season -- Minnesota could still walk away with nothing.
Like most NBA stars, Love wants to play for a championship-caliber team. Both the Knicks and the Lakers were reported as favorable destinations for the three-time All-Star.
"Love, in the top four this season in scoring and rebounding, is said to be favoring the Lakers or the Knicks in free agency in 2015 when both will have money for perhaps two free agents," Sam Smith of Bulls.com wrote on Jan. 13.
CBS Sports' Kevin Berger also reported "everyone knows" Love wants to play for the Lakers.
There was also talk of the Boston Celtics pulling off a trade before the 2014 NBA draft to land Love.
Love can opt out of his contract and become a free agent after next season.
