Breaking up is hard to do. Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor proved that after parting ways with his franchise player.
The Wolves and Cleveland Cavaliers finally have completed their blockbuster trade that will send All-Star big man Kevin Love to the Cavs where he’ll team up with LeBron James. Taylor didn’t necessarily wish Love well, as the T-Wolves owner instead questioned how Love would fare in Cleveland.
“I question Kevin if this is going to be the best deal for him, because I think he’s going to be a third player on a team (behind James and point guard Kyrie Irving),” Taylor said Tuesday on 1500ESPN. “I don’t think he’s going to get a lot of credit if they do really well. I think he’ll get the blame, if they don’t do well. He’s going to have to learn to handle that. I think he’s around a couple of guys who are awful good.”
Love, James and Irving should give the Cavs a formidable squad in the Eastern Conference, but defense may be an issue. Love and Irving aren’t known for playing great defense, a fact Taylor was more than willing to bring up Tuesday.
“Now I’m not saying that Kevin’s not good, but I think where maybe he got away with some stuff, not playing defense on our team, I’m not sure how that’s going to work in Cleveland,” he said. “So I would guess they’re going to ask him to play more defense. And he’s foul-prone.”
Taylor also found a way to question Love’s durability, too.
“The only thing that I still have a question mark about will be his health,” Taylor said on 1500ESPN. “I had that concern then, and I think Cleveland should have that concern, too. If they sign him to a five-year contract like they’re talking about, I mean, that’s a big contract in a guy that’s had some times where he’s missed games.”
Love and the Cavs will be in Minnesota for his return on Jan. 31.
Photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
