Report: Kevin Love could still be added to USA Basketball roster
Although Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love withdrew from USA Basketball training camp last week, it is still possible that he could be added to the team's final roster before the FIBA World Cup, reports CSNNW.com.
USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told the site that there was a scenario in which Love could still play for the national team, if the three-time All-Star is traded before the tournament starts on August 30. Love withdrew from the national team due to his uncertain status with the Timberwolves, who have been listening to trade offers for the forward.
More: Who should make Team USA cut?
One of the strongest rumored offers centers on Cleveland Cavaliers No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins, who cannot be traded before August 23. If that trade is completed between then and August 29, when Colangelo needs to submit the team's final roster, the chairman is open to the possibility of adding Love.
CSNNW spoke to Colangelo after Team USA's training camp Thursday:
"Technically it is possible but I have to weigh all of the considerations if I were to look at that. Is it fair to the guys who are here putting in the time and effort? How do the teams think about that after the fact? I don’t know. We’ll see how it plays out.
I know it’s an option. I know it’s possible that he could play, but we’ll see."
Colangelo and Team USA's coaches, led by Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, are in the process of building a 12-man roster from the 19-player pool working out in Las Vegas this week.
The tournament is being held in Spain. Team USA's first game is August 30 against Finland. Other members of the United States' group are Turkey, the Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Ukraine.
- Alex Hampl
