The Minnesota Timberwolves keep saying they do not intend to trade Kevin Love. Meanwhile, the rest of the NBA is operating as though that’s exactly what Minnesota will end up doing.
Wolves owner Glen Taylor hardened his stance Monday, telling the Pioneer Press of St. Paul, Minn., that trading Love is “not our plan.” Taylor acknowledged, however, that he “should never say never” and could change his mind if another team offered a package he would be “nuts” to turn down.
Those comments are even stronger than the statement Taylor offered Sunday, saying Love would not be traded before the 2014 NBA draft.
That does not mean the market is closed. In fact, Minnesota president of basketball operations Flip Saunders should expect a few calls after Tuesday’s draft lottery.
“Teams around the league are increasingly expected to test that resolve (to not trade Love) once the lottery order is established Tuesday night,” according to ESPN.com.
The endless stream of reports to this effect has many observers convinced that Love will not finish the summer in Minnesota. Numerous teams are interested in acquiring the 25-year-old All-Star power forward, with the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls among the more realistic destinations.
