Cleveland Cavaliers News and Rumors: Kevin Love Trade to Be Finalized Soon; What Does This Mean for Next Season?
This NBA off-season has been one of the craziest ones we've seen in recent memory. We saw four-time MVP LeBron James return to the Cleveland Cavaliers as the power in the Eastern Conference shifted. Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade all signed new deals as well.
The last remaining big trade left to be completed is between the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers. High profile players such as Kevin Love, Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young are all involved. This three-team deal is expected to finalized on Aug. 23, because of the rookie contract rules.
Here is a breakdown of the three-team trade that is expected to take place.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves may be losing a terrific power forward, but they're getting a lot good pieces. It was first expected that Anthony Bennett would be heading to Philadelphia, but the latest reports show he is most likely to land in Minnesota. Bennett will be traded along with 19-year-old Andrew Wiggins. Both Wiggins and Bennett are the last two No. 1 overall draft picks.
If this trade goes through, it would be the first time in NBA history that two consecutive No. 1 overall picks are traded from the same team together to a different team. The Timberwolves have a bright future of them with these new additions joining starting point guard Ricky Rubio. Thaddeus Young appears to be heading to Minnesota as well.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers don't get the most pieces or draft picks, but they're getting the single-best player. Kevin Love is a double-double machine who is still just 25 years old. Love has never once made it to the postseason, but that drought won't last much longer. Playing with LeBron James in a mediocre Eastern Conference next season will most likely result in a No. 1 seed for the Cavaliers.
Even though the NBA doesn't have a hard salary cap (like the NFL), the Cavaliers were smart in the way they handled this financially. Having four No. 1 overall picks on the same team would be far too hard to control and coach. Long-term contracts and shot attempts would be a never ending battle. Love, James and Irving are set to be the best trio in the NBA next season.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers know they aren't prepared to win just now. A 19-63 record last season backs that up. Even though the 76ers didn't get Love or Wiggins, they are getting a first round pick for next season. The team will also be trading power forward Thaddeus Young to the Timberwolves, which opens the door for a possible trade for Amar'e Stoudemire. If Stoudemire is traded to the 76ers before the 2015 NBA trade deadline in February, the 76ers will only have to pay 30 percent of his contract next season.
In addition to receiving a first round selection next year, the 76ers will also get Alexey Shved and Luc Mbah a Moute from the Timberwolves to add some more depth.
This three-team trade looks to be best for all parties involved. Although the Timberwolves are getting rid of a terrific player, there was a very high chance that Love was going to leave next season anyway. It was best they get value for him now while they still could. Clearly, the Cavaliers are big winners. The 76ers didn't make a huge splash, but adding depth and future picks will only help. This will be a great opportunity for Bennett and Wiggins in Minnesota as well. With James in Cleveland, they wouldn't have gotten as many touches.
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