Wolves Owner: Kevin Love To Cavaliers Deal ‘Likely’ Done By Aug. 23/24

As more time passes, it appears increasingly likely that All-Star forward Kevin Love will be joining LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The latest sign of that very premise came Saturday, when Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the odds were in favor of the team dealing Love by Aug. 23 or 24.

“I’m saying it’s most likely because Kevin has made it pretty clear that that’s what he wants to do,” Taylor said, via the Pioneer Press.

Aug. 23 is the first day No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins can be dealt, as he signed his rookie contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 23.

Reports from last week indicated that the Timberwolves were engaged in “serious” trade talks with only the Cavaliers, and that James was “looking forward” to welcoming Love to the team.

Love, a free agent at the end of next season, won’t sign an extension with any team he’s traded to, Bob Finnan of the News-Herald reported last week. The three-time All-Star will likely get more money if waits to re-sign with the team he’s traded to until after he hits the market.

Taylor also talked about the return that Minnesota seeks for Love in a trade, emphasizing the team’s need to get better on defense.

“I think when you move somebody like Kevin, who’s been an All-Star, that you’ve got to get a number of players on your team that have the potential of replacing him,” Taylor said. “Flip (Saunders) has looked at this team and offensively, he’s got a pretty good team. Defensively, it’s got to be better, so I think that’s where some of the areas will be replaced.”

Love, who will turn 26 in September, averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game last season.