Kevin Love: Cavaliers complete deal to acquire power forward; LeBron welcomes all star on Twitter
It's finally official.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Kevin Love in a three team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers.
Here's how the trade breaks down and what everyone gets:
Cleveland Cavaliers - Kevin Love
Minnesota Timberwolves - Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, Thaddeus Young, and a $6.3 million trade exception
Philadelphia 76ers - Alexey Shved, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, and a 2015 first-round pick from the Miami Heat via the Cavaliers.
Although there were reports the deal would get done, the Cavs were not allowed to officially trade Wiggins for 30 days after signing him.
"Kevin joining the Cavaliers represents a very special and unique opportunity for our team. At only 25, Kevin has already firmly established himself as one the NBA's elite players and his talent, versatility and fit are major parts of our team's vision for success," said Cavaliers general manager David Griffin according to the team website. "We want to also wish Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett the best as they will continue the start of their careers in Minnesota. They are both outstanding young men that have great potential on the court and long, very successful careers ahead of them."
Recently returned Cavs star LeBron James - the person whom many believe was the catalyst behind the acquisition of Love - tweeted out his excitement to see the former Wolves big man join the team:
Welcome to the Land @kevinlove!
"I'm going to be very excited to have him," James said recently according to ESPN. "I don't really care about the 26 (points) and 12 (rebounds). I care about the basketball IQ. His basketball IQ is very, very high. He's a great piece."
The Cavaliers also put this picture up on the team's Instagram account.
Love will wear No. 0.
As for Cleveland's first round pick Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves head coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders is happy to see him in Minnesota. Saunders see's Wiggins, along with Bennett and Wolves' 2014 first round pick Zach LaVine, as the future of the team.
"With the additions of Wiggins, Bennett and Zach LaVine this summer, we have brought in three exciting young athletes who all have the potential to have an impact in this league," Saunders said according to the team website. "All three of them complement each other very well and we believe they will be foundations of our team for years to come."
Of Young Saunders said: "In Young we are getting a proven NBA player who is entering the prime of his career. Our fans will enjoy watching these exciting players this coming season and beyond."
NBA fans should watch out for Dec. 23 on the NBA schedule. The Timberwolves visit the Cavaliers which will be the first time Love faces his former team - and the first time Wiggins gets to display his talents to the team that traded him.
That game will take place at 7 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena.
