The Cleveland Cavaliers are inching closer and closer to pairing LeBron James and Kevin Love on the same team next season.
In fact, James is already “looking forward” to welcoming Love to Ohio, according to ESPN.com sources.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were engaged in “serious” trade talks with only the Cavaliers on Wednesday, adding to the increasing assumption that Love will be traded to Cleveland at some point in the near future, according to ESPN sources briefed on the situation.
Reports from Friday indicated that the Cavaliers’ Andrew Wiggins-led package was still the best the Timberwolves have received, and it appears as though nothing has changed since then.
Now, ESPN sources are saying Cleveland is the “only team in contention for Love.”
The Golden State Warriors reportedly remain unwilling to trade 24-year-old Klay Thompson in a deal for Love, while the Chicago Bulls feel they cannot trump the Cavaliers’ offer.
Wiggins is eligible to be traded for Love in three weeks, as the Cavs cannot trade the 2014 No. 1 overall pick within 30 days of signing him.
Love averaged a career-high 26.1 points per game during the 2013-14 season, with 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists. The 25-year-old forward already is a three-time NBA All-Star and won the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2011.
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