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

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.

Visualization: The far-reaching impact of LeBron James' free agency

 Speculation that the Cavaliers were the frontrunners to acquire Love began shortly after LeBron Jamesannounced 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.

More: Meet new Cavaliers head coach David Blatt

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

GALLERY: NBA'S NO. 1 DRAFT PICKS IN THE LOTTERY ERA

The NBA's No. 1 Draft Picks in the Lottery Era

1985: Patrick Ewing

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Manny Millan/SI

New York Knicks

1986: Brad Daugherty

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Manny Millan/SI

Cleveland Cavaliers

1987: David Robinson

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Damian Strohmeyer, David E. Klutho, Manny Millan, John W. McDonough/SI

San Antonio Spurs

1988: Danny Manning

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Mike Powell/Getty Images

Los Angeles Clippers

1989: Pervis Ellison

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Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Sacramento Kings

1990: Derrick Coleman

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John Iacono, Chuck Solomon/SI

New Jersey Nets

1991: Larry Johnson

1991-larry-johnson-05734138.jpg
David E. Klutho/SI

Charlotte Hornets

1992: Shaquille O'Neal

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Manny Millan, John W. McDonough(2), Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Orlando Magic

1993: Chris Webber

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Bill Frakes/SI

Orlando Magic

1994: Glenn Robinson

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Manny Millan/SI

Milwaukee Bucks

1995: Joe Smith

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David E. Klutho/SI

Golden State Warriors

1996: Allen Iverson

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Manny Millan, Al Tielemans/SI

Philadelphia 76ers

1997: Tim Duncan

1997-tim-duncan.jpg
John W. McDonough(3), Bob Rosato/SI

San Antonio Spurs

1998: Michael Olowokandi

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John W. McDonough/SI

Milwaukee Bucks

1999: Elton Brand

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John W. McDonough/SI

Chicago Bulls

2000: Kenyon Martin

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John W. McDonough/SI

New Jersey Nets

2001: Kwame Brown

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John Biever/SI

Washington Wizards

2002: Yao Ming

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John W. McDonough/SI

Houston Rockets

2003: LeBron James

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Greg Nelson/SI

Cleveland Cavaliers

2004: Dwight Howard

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Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Orlando Magic

2005: Andrew Bogut

2005-andrew-bogut-opow-17360.jpg
John Biever/SI

Milwaukee Bucks

2006: Andrea Bargnani

2006-andrea-bargnani-opof-4566.jpg
David E. Klutho/SI

Toronto Raptors

2007: Greg Oden

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Rick Bowmer/AP

Portland Trail Blazers

2008: Derrick Rose

2008-derrick-rose-ophi-19833.jpg
David E. Klutho/SI

Chicago Bulls

2009: Blake Griffin

2009-blake-griffin-op5r-86839.jpg
John W. McDonough/SI

Los Angeles Clippers

2010: John Wall

2010-John-Wall-X158092_TK1_02309.jpg
David E. Klutho/SI

Washington Wizards

2011: Kyrie Irving

2011-Kyrie-Irving-opxc-112941.jpg
John Biever/SI

Cleveland Cavaliers

2012: Anthony Davis

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Greg Nelson/SI

New Orleans Hornets

2013: Anthony Bennett

2013-Anthony-Bennett-op5x-149329.jpg
Greg Nelson/SI

Cleveland Cavaliers

2014: Andrew Wiggins

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Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images

Cleveland Cavaliers

2015: Karl-Anthony Towns

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Isaac Baldizon/Getty Images

Minnesota Timberwolves


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