A lot of NBA teams have been showing their strong interest in acquiring All-Star forward, Kevin Love. However, the Timberwolves indicated that they were not willing to give up their scoring machine unless they were given someone of equal value.
In a report by Sports Illustrated, the Minnesota Timberwolves previously shared that there might be a chance that they would let go of Love if a trade involving Thaddeus Young of the Philadelphia 76ers was offered. Other teams that were equally interested in acquiring Love include the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. The Cavs were leaning towards trading their 2014 top pick Andrew Wiggins plus a future draft pick for Love, but Wiggins signed a rookie agreement with the team, which means that it will not be possible to trade him for 30 days.
Love previously indicated that he will not re-sign with the Timberwolves after his contract expires at the end of the 2014-2015 season. He also shared that he was willing to play alongside superstar, LeBron James, for the long term, with the ultimate goal of winning NBA championships. Love has not made the playoffs throughout his career with the Wolves.
According to CBS Sports, Thaddeus Young is currently 26 years old and averaged 17.9 points per game, 2.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds. He shot 32.1 percent from the three-point arc. Particularly, Young is capable of spreading the floor, which is also one of Love's main strengths. Young has two more years left in his contract, worth $19.3 million. He has the choice to opt-out in the second season.
In an article by Pro Basketball Talk, Marc Stein of ESPN reported, "Sources told ESPN.com that the Wolves, while continuing to discuss trade proposals that would send Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers, have been exploring their options for acquiring Young from the Sixers, either through a separate transaction or as part of an expanded Love trade."
The 76ers is rebuilding and was actively trading veterans in the past. The team previously traded Evan Turner, Jrue Holiday and Spencer Hawes. In exchange, Philadelphia has been acquiring younger players like Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams. Love has the experience and scoring ability to lead the young Sixers to the playoffs. In turn, Young also has the capacity to help the Timberwolves rebuild in the next few years.
In the meantime, the rest of the NBA will have to wait if the Warriors propose a trade involving Klay Thompson or if the Cavs decided to let go of their swingman, Wiggins.