NBC on Yahoo SportsWarriors, Timberwolves restart Kevin Love trade talks
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors have reopened trade talks for All-Star forward Kevin Love, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
With most of the NBA in Las Vegas for summer league games, the two sides have had a chance to meet face-to-face to talk about a deal mentioned as a possibility for more than a month. The person requested anonymity because both teams are not publicly commenting on trade discussions.
Timberwolves president and coach Flip Saunders was seen talking to Warriors GM Bob Myers at the arena on Sunday as the two sides look to bridge the gaps that caused discussions to stall. The Warriors have been reluctant to include shooting guard Klay Thompson in any package, which has been considered a deal-breaker for the Timberwolves.
It remained unclear if the Warriors have changed their position on Thompson in the new talks.
The Timberwolves also have been talking to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who so far have been unwilling to include Andrew Wiggins in any offer.
The Warriors and Wolves have been talking about Love, a three-time All-Star who can opt out of his contract at the end of next season, since well before the draft last month. So far, the Warriors have discussed veteran forward David Lee, reserve swingman Harrison Barnes and future draft picks as potential compensation for Love.
But Saunders has been adamant that Thompson, a 24-year-old shooter who plays a huge role in the Warriors' perimeter defense alongside fellow "Splash Brother" Stephen Curry in the backcourt, be the main piece coming back to get him to part with Love.
Love has yet to make the playoffs in six years with the Timberwolves and told the team he will look to join a contender when he can become a free agent next season.
Saunders has said he'd have no issues keeping Love, making a couple of moves to improve a roster that finished 10th in the West last season and trying to make a playoff run to convince the face of the franchise he should stay in Minnesota.
That strategy worked for the Portland Trail Blazers with LaMarcus Aldridge, and the Wolves believe Love could change his mind if enough improvements are made. The Wolves also can pay Love about $26.5 million more than any other team.
