Timberwolves reportedly accept deal to trade Kevin Love to Cavaliers

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly have agreed in principle to a deal that will send All-Star power forward Kevin Love to Cleveland, where he will join four-time NBA MVP LeBron James and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving.

The Cavaliers were among a group of teams that have been pursuing Love, who had expressed interest in leaving Minnesota. Love, a 6-foot-10 sixth-year pro, will opt out of his contract after next season and re-sign with Cleveland for five years and $120 million, according to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski..

Minnesota will reportedly get rookie forward Andrew Wiggins, second-year center Anthony Bennett, who is a former No. 1 overall pick, and a first-round draft pick in 2015. Since Wiggins is a rookie, he can’t be traded until Aug. 23, which is 30 days after he signed his contract, so the deal will not be finalized until then.

James returned to the Cavaliers as a free agent this summer after four seasons with the Miami Heat. He led the Heat to four consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals, winning two titles as part of a Big 3 with All-Star guard Dwyane Wade and All-Star power forward Chris Bosh.

With James joining the fast-rising Irving and a proven rebounder and scorer in Love, the Cavaliers will have their own Big 3 to build upon for the immediate future.

Love had his best season in 2013-14, when he averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds a game. He’s a lifetime 45% shooter from the field, including 36% from three-point range. He has made 81.5% of his free throws.