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.
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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.
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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
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
1986: Brad Daugherty
1987: David Robinson
1988: Danny Manning
1989: Pervis Ellison
1990: Derrick Coleman
New Jersey Nets
1991: Larry Johnson
1992: Shaquille O'Neal
1993: Chris Webber
Orlando Magic
1994: Glenn Robinson
1995: Joe Smith
Golden State Warriors
1996: Allen Iverson
1997: Tim Duncan
San Antonio Spurs
1998: Michael Olowokandi
Milwaukee Bucks
1999: Elton Brand
Chicago Bulls
2000: Kenyon Martin
New Jersey Nets
2001: Kwame Brown
2002: Yao Ming
2003: LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers
2004: Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic
2005: Andrew Bogut
Milwaukee Bucks
2006: Andrea Bargnani
2007: Greg Oden
2008: Derrick Rose
Chicago Bulls
2009: Blake Griffin
Los Angeles Clippers
2010: John Wall
Washington Wizards
2011: Kyrie Irving
Cleveland Cavaliers
2012: Anthony Davis
New Orleans Hornets
2013: Anthony Bennett
Cleveland Cavaliers
2014: Andrew Wiggins
Cleveland Cavaliers
2015: Karl-Anthony Towns