The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly expected to make a run at Philadelphia 76ers power forward Thaddeus Young after making a handshake agreement with the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kevin Love.
The Timberwolves are determined to acquire more talent to offset the expected departure of Love to the Cavaliers. According to Yahoo Sports insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Minnesota has already agreed on a deal to send Love to Cleveland in exchange for 2014 first overall pick Kevin Love, 2013 first overall pick Anthony Bennett and two first-round picks.
"The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached an agreement in principle to send All-Star forward Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a protected 2015 first-round draft pick, league sources told Yahoo Sports," the NBA insider reported on Thursday.
Since the Love trade chatter broke out, the Wolves reportedly have been trying to get Young either as a piece in a three-team trade with the Cavs and the Sixers or on a separate deal.
With Love expected to go to Cleveland later this August, the Wolves are in search for his successor and several sources already indicated the ball club is targeting the 26-yer old Young.
"Sources told ESPN.com that the Wolves, while continuing to discuss trade proposals that would send Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers, have been exploring their options for acquiring Young from the Sixers, either through a separate transaction or as part of an expanded Love trade," via ESPN correspondent Marc Stein.
Daily News writer Mark Perner reported on Friday that the Sixers will be the third party in the Love blockbuster. The Sixers are reportedly open to receive 2013 first round pick Anthony Bennett and additional assets for Young, who averaged 17.9 points and 6.0 rebounds last season with Philadelphia.
"While news came out yesterday that Minnesota and Cleveland had agreed in principle to a trade that will send All-Star Kevin Love to the Cavaliers for Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a first-round draft pick, the Daily News has learned that the Sixers will, indeed, be involved in the deal," according to the Daily News NBA insider.
"A source informed the Daily News that the Sixers will be sending veteran forward Thaddeus Young to Minnesota for a package that will include Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA draft."
Still, there are issues to be settled for this three-team trade to shape up. One major stumbling block along the way is the league's approval of the Young to T-Wolves trade which was seen as a deal that would circumvent the salary cap.
"The Timberwolves reportedly are interested in Thaddeus Young as a possible replacement for Love. If the Sixers, who remain roughly $30 million below the salary cap, are unable to make it a three-team deal in which they could end up with Bennett and a pick, they could try to trade with the Wolves for Bennett."
Nevertheless, the Sixers are pretty much set to part ways with Young, who could be part of young and talented nucleus of the Timberwolves along with 2014 no.1 pick Andrew Wiggins and passing wizard Ricky Rubio.
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