With the purported Kevin Love trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers days away, a recent report indicated the Minnesota Timberwolves may prefer acquiring Cavaliers forward Anthony Bennett over Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young. The Love deal is expected to become official on or shortly after Aug. 23, the first day in which Cavaliers rookie Andrew Wiggins becomes eligible to be traded.
The specific details of the purported Love deal remain unknown. Because Wiggins cannot be dealt until 30 days after signing his rookie contract, league rules prohibit Minnesota and Cleveland from publically discussing any potential trade.
Several news outlets - including Yahoo Sports and ESPN - believe it's a three-team trade including the following pieces: Love, Wiggins, Bennett, a future first-round pick from Cleveland, Young and possibly several smaller contracts to make the salary cap math work.
While Minnesota purportedly has wanted Young as a replacement for Love, Nate Duncan of BasketballInsiders.com reported the Timberwolves may in fact prefer picking up Bennett.
"... In a larger franchise building sense, I see little reason (the Timberwolves) prefer Young over Anthony Bennett in a clear rebuilding situation," Duncan wrote on Tuesday.
Bennett, the first overall pick of the 2013 draft, underperformed in his rookie campaign - 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in just over 12 minutes per game - but still is viewed as having upside. Bennett's contract also makes things easier for Minnesota: he still has three years remaining on his rookie deal, whereas Minnesota would have to worry about re-signing Young next summer, when he can opt out of his current contract and become a free agent.
Cleveland reportedly is open to moving guard Dion Waiters and forward Tristan Thompson, either of whom could be swapped into the Love deal at the last minute.
