The Cleveland Cavaliers have been in pursuit of Kevin Love for at least a year, but tonight they put themselves in position to seriously get a deal done sooner rather than later. The Cavaliers agreed to acquire journeyman Point Guard John Lucas, Malcolm Thomas, and Erik Murphy and The Jazz will receive second year Shooting Guard Carrick Felix, a future Second Round Pick, and cash. These players will not be Cavaliers for very long.
It was rumored early this afternoon Cleveland was searching for non-guaranteed contracts to offer in a trade with Minnesota since it will be cap relief. If Cleveland does want Kevin Love though I expect them to package all of these players in the deal, and it puts Cleveland in the driver seat for a deal. They have Wiggins, Bennett, Waiters, and Thompson who I can see anyone of those players being dealt in the trade but we all know Minnesota wants Wiggins.
With those contracts that were acquired today, one of their young players on their roster, and Brendan Haywood The Cavs have themselves a nice trade package for Minnesota to swap for Love. It doesn’t stop there. Cleveland has two first round picks (technically three, but Cleveland cannot offer their 2016 pick since they shipped it to Boston.) one from The Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat both picks are protected but if Minnesota gets Wiggins, two first round picks, and cap relief they don’t say no to that.
As of right now it’s a game of chess on which front office will blink first Cleveland? or Minnesota? Out of no where rumors of The Chicago Bulls and possibly The Nuggets picking up trade talks again came out of no where today. Minnesota could be trying to force the Cavs to up the ante and so far they’ve stuck to their guns in not offering Andrew Wiggins.
Cleveland is rumored to be nearing a deal with Andrew Wiggins on Wednesday, but that could be to force Minnesota to quit dragging their feet. The longer Minnesota waits though the more leverage they lose and the worse the packages for Love they will get. If the Timberwolves were smart they act sooner rather than later, and if you’re The Cavs you go into the season with a good roster with or without Love.
