WFNY’s State of the Browns: Linebackers
July 17, 2014LeBron James and the moral dilemma of free agency
July 17, 2014As Cavalier fans debate the merits of a trade that could bring All-Star power forward Kevin Love to Cleveland, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is doing all he can to make the disgruntled Olympian feel wanted by the team that is bordering on becoming an afterthought.
“My preference is that Kevin will come to (training) camp — and I’m sure he will — and play with the team,” Taylor said in an interview with NBATV.
When asked about dealing Love in a trade that did not involve the Cavs’ No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins, Taylor stated that the team was going to look at everything that makes sense that would make our team better, “but we are not going to move a superb player like that without getting equal or more value back.”
Since drafting the 6-foot-10-inch Love with the fifth pick in 2008, the Timberwolves have yet to make the playoffs, finishing with 40 wins in 2013-14. Love, who has iterated that he wants to win, is matched by Taylor who believes Minnesota is right on the cusp of doing so.
“I think our team is just on the border,” Taylor said. “We lost too many close games last year, and having Kevin Love there as, right now, the heart of our team … I would like to have Kevin back and play under Flip (Saunders) and see how the coaches will utilize him with the other players.”
Taylor can offer Love a new contract worth $26 million more than any other team can offer, but if he is not dealt by the 2014-15 trade deadline, it is expected that Love will test free agency. The Cavs maintain that they will not discuss trade packages that involve Wiggins who has averaged 14 points per game (37.8 percent shooting) for the team during their Summer League play.
[Related: Trade Wiggins for Love? Why I’d do it.]
18 Comments
Posturing at its best. They for sure know if they cannot sign him, then they must move him at the trade deadline. If not it would mean multiple more years in any future rebuild.
Convos that never occur:
Owner: “The trade deadline just passed, what’d we get?”
GM: “Didn’t trade him. We have a real shot at the 8th seed, maybe the 7th.”
O: “WTF?!!”
GM: “I was not not going to move a superb player like that without getting equal or more value back.”
O: “You said you were smarter than Kahn – are you a mental deficient?”
GM: “We don’t want the reputation of being a patsy. That’s bad for any organization.”
O: “I’ve gotta remember who the eff recommended you. I’ll kill them with my bare hands.”
GM: “Trust me. Long term this is better.”
O: [Dialing security] “Get your crap, right now. You’ll be escorted out.”
GM: “Wow. That’s kinda premature… Can I take my team mug?”
O: [SMASH!!] No.
Secret WFNY Ninja Cam recording of Gilbert responding to Taylor’s demand for Wiggins…
http://www.hark.com/clips/fqvksvkkcx-you-got-nothing
And this is why they’re the Wolves. Considering they botched 20 years of KG/Love and blew multiple lottery picks (Flynn over steph curry, Wes Johnson over Demarcus, Derrick Williams), this isn’t surprising. While I believe that this is posturing, the Wolves are just dumb enough to be stubborn and not trade him. Remember, Flip Saunders is the coach, GM and part-owner. SMH…
Is that Flip talking to himself? He is owner/GM/coach
The owner is already talking this would seem like a good sign given the season is months away. Perhaps as we get closer the pressure will mount leading to something happening for the Cavaliers. Hopefully Love’s representatives continue to whisper, “Cleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeveland.”
Flip ain’t no owner.
Flip Saunders is a native Clevelander he’s just trying to make it look good, he’ll do the Cavaliers a solid!
As qyoted: “but we are not going to move a superb player like that without getting equal or more value back.” Or more value? With their lack of real leverage? Good luck.
I wonder if we’re underestimating the possibility of the Wolves making the playoffs and Love decided he’d want to stay then. 48-34 pythagorean record last year. I wouldn’t be shocked if they snuck in next spring.
And the year of drafting TWO point guards at the top of the draft!
Also, what team is making this deal thinking, “You know what? The Timberwolves need an assist. Let’s make a bad deal so that Minnesota gets MORE VALUE!”
Finnan tweeting that the Cavaliers are now willing to include Wiggins in a deal for Love. Makes sense to me.
in a row and both over Curry who went the next pick
Wake me when Lee Jenkins tweets it 😉
Does he Tweet?
Worst posturing since “JJ Hickson will never be in a trade for Amare”
Three PGs! They traded Ty Lawson who became the best of the three.