Report: Kevin Love to be traded to Cavaliers, will sign extension

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed on a trade that sends star forward Kevin Love to Cleveland in exchange for forwards Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett and a protected 2015 draft pick.

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Aug 7, 2014

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a trade that will send Kevin Love to the Cavaliers in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a protected 2015 first-round pick, reports Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

As part of the agreement, Love has committed to opt out of his contract after next season and sign a five-year, $120-million plus extension with the Cavaliers.

According to the the report, the specific terms of the trade were agreed upon several weeks ago, but because Wiggins, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA draft, can't be traded until 30 days after signing his rookie contract, the deal can't be announced until Aug. 23.

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Speculation that the Cavaliers were the frontrunners to acquire Love began shortly after LeBron James announced he was signing with Cleveland after opting out of his contract with the Miami Heat. The Golden State Warriors had been a serious contender for Love as well, but talks fell apart when the Warriors balked at including shooting guard Klay Thompson in a deal.

Earlier this month, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said it was likely Love would be traded later in August.

Love, a three-time All-Star, averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game last season and has averaged 19.2 points and 12.2 rebounds over his six-year career. He signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $62 million with the Timberwolves in 2012, but with Minnesota's continued on-court struggles, Love had since made it clear he would opt out of the final year of his contract after next season, leading the Timberwolves to seek a trade.

According to Wojnarowski, one reason the Cavaliers wanted Love now was their worry he would be traded to the Chicago Bulls, a move that would make Cleveland's road to a championship that much more difficult.

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Minnesota receives the last two No. 1 picks in return for Love. Wiggins became this year's No. 1 pick after averaging 17.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in his lone year at Kansas. He said recently he hadn't spoken with James since being drafted, adding to speculation he would be included in a trade for Love.

Bennett was the No. 1 pick in 2013 but had a disappointing rookie season after offseason shoulder surgery and struggled to get in shape, averaging 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 52 games. He looked improved in the Las Vegas Summer League after having his tonsils removed, which has helped him deal with his sleep apnea. -- Ben Estes

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