Timberwolves owner regrets not giving Kevin Love five-year deal

Minnesota Timberwolves majority owner Glen Taylor spoke about Kevin Love's departure Tuesday, saying that if he knew then what he knows now, he would've signed Love to the five-year contract the power forward wanted in 2012.

Minnesota Timberwolves majority owner Glen Taylor spoke about Kevin Love's departure Tuesday, saying that if he knew then what he knows now, he would have signed Love to the five-year contract the power forward wanted in 2012, according to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press. 

Love was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Aug. 23 after reportedly requesting a move earlier in the offseason. 

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During the 2011-12 season, Love wanted to become the Timberwolves' "designated player" to get a five-year deal with the team. Minnesota denied the request, and the power forward wound up singing a four-year extension with a three-year opt-out option instead.

Taylor also expressed concerns about Love's health and the role he might play in Cleveland. 

"I don't think he's gonna get a lot of the credit if they do really well. I think he'll get blamed if they don't do well," said Taylor, who added that he thinks Love will be the Cavaliers' "third player."

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Taylor said he had a concern about the 25-year-old's health when he signed him to the four-year deal and thinks Cleveland should be concerned as well. 

"If they sign him to a five-year deal, that's a big contract on a guy that's had some times he's missed some games," he said.

Love had arthroscopic surgery to remove a buildup of scar tissue in his left knee in April 2013. 

- Molly Geary