The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly are the last team standing in the Kevin Love sweepstakes. ESPN reports the Minnesota Timberwolves are only considering Cleveland as a potential trade partner for Love, and both sides currently are discussing the framework for the potential deal.
Cleveland remains the frontrunner to sign Love, and the latest report indicates the Cavaliers are close to reaching a deal with Minnesota.
"The Minnesota Timberwolves presently are engaged in serious Kevin Love trade talks with no teams other than the Cleveland Cavaliers, which only adds to the growing belief around the league that Love teaming up with LeBron James is inevitable, according to sources briefed on the situation," ESPN's Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst wrote Wednesday. "... Sources say that, furthermore, the teams continue to discuss potential trade constructions, such as bringing in a third team or adding players beyond the widely reported principals."
Minnesota, per ESPN, is trying to offload veteran guard J.J. Barea -- they want either Cleveland or a third team to take back his expiring $4.5 million contract.
In addition to Love, the purported principles are Cavaliers rookie Andrew Wiggins and second-year pro Anthony Bennett, the first overall picks of the 2014 and the 2013 drafts, respectively.
While both teams purportedly continue to discuss a trade, a deal cannot be completed officially until Aug. 23, when Wiggins becomes eligible to be traded.
The ESPN report indicates the Golden State Warriors, who once were reportedly the frontrunners for Love, the Chicago Bulls, the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets are no longer in contention for the All-Star power forward.
Although Cleveland's addition of superstar LeBron James purportedly piqued Love's interest in playing with the Cavs, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Love would --if traded to Cleveland -- still opt out of his contract next summer in order to sign a max-figure deal.
