Cavaliers Complete Trade for Kevin Love

The long rumored trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin  Love became official on August 23rd, with Love joining LeBron James in Cleveland, instantly making the Cavaliers a front runner for the NBA title.  The deal had been in the works for some time, but could not be completed because it included Cleveland’s top draft pick Andrew Wiggins, who could not be moved until 30 days after signing his contract due to NBA rules.

This was actually a three team trade which also involved the Philadelphia 76ers.  Philadelphia gets Minnesota’s first draft pick in the 2015 draft, guard Alexey  Shved, and forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in exchange for power forward Thaddeus Young; Minnesota also gets Wiggins and forward Anthony Bennett from Cleveland.

This is a deal that probably helps all three teams.  Philadelphia was lousy last year (19-63) so getting a second first round draft choice to go with their own number one pick probably isn’t a bad move.  Love had become disenchanted with Minnesota, and would be lost to free agency after next season, but the Timberwolves picked up some quality players in Young, who averaged nearly 18 points per game and the highly touted Wiggins.  Bennett was the overall number one draft pick in 2013, but had an injury plagued first season.  He’s healthy now and too young to give up on.

Cleveland was understandably reluctant to part with Wiggins, but the chance to pick up Love was too much to pass up.  Last season, Love averaged 26. 1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.  Here’s Love in action:

The Cavalier front court of James and Love is now the best in the league.  Cleveland also signed veteran free agents Shawn Marion, Mike Miller, and James Jones to join holdover point guard Kyrie Irving.  The Cavaliers are in it to win it, so trading Wiggins for Love is the right move.  The team also announced that anyone who bought an Andrew Wiggins jersey through the Cavaliers’ online store could get a refund or credit for a future purchase.  Hey, about an exchange for a Kevin Love jersey?