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.
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