Kevin Love has finally been traded to the Cavaliers. He will head to Cleveland in a deal that will send Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, the last two No. 1 draft picks to Minnesota.
A protected first-round pick in 2015 will also head to the Timberwolves, but that draft choice, along with Luc Mbah a Moute and Alexey Shved will go to the 76ers in exchange for Thaddeus Young.
The teams agreed to the deal earlier this month and Love is expected to opt out of his current contract after the upcoming season to sign a five-year extension worth at least $120 million with the Cavs.
Speculation surrounding a trade for Love began when LeBron James returned to Cleveland last month. However, the team had to wait until August 23 to officially trade Andrew Wiggins because NBA rules stipulate that a draft pick can’t be dealt until 30 days after he signs his contract, and Wiggins inked his deal on July 24.
Love averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds in 77 games last season. He played his first six seasons in the league with the Timberwolves and owns career averages of 19.2 points and 12.2 rebounds.
Andrew Wiggins was taken first overall by the Cavs last month as part of a draft class that was widely seen as one of the most talented of all-time. He was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year after averaging 17.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in his only season with the Kansas Jayhawks.
Anthony Bennett appeared in just 52 games and averaged only 4.2 points with 3.0 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per contest.
Thaddeus Young averaged a career-best 17.9 points and 6.0 rebounds in 79 games last with the 76ers last season. Young, a seven-year veteran who has played his entire career in Philadelphia, has averaged 13.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in his career.
The Cavaliers (+125 favorites to win the 2015 NBA Championship at America’s Bookie) have been active in the offseason, signing LeBron James’ and trading for Kevin Love. They also added Mike Miller and James Jones, who played with James in Miami and can provide scoring off the bench, signed Shawn Marion and are still in talks with Ray Allen, another former teammate of James with the Heat.
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