Minnesota Timberwolves Reportedly Will Offer Kevin Love 4-Year, $60 Million Deal

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a promising future, and they are trying to ensure it stays that way by prepping a four-year, $60 million deal for superstar Kevin Love.

Charley Walters, reporter for the Pioneer Press, has found that the team is ready to extend the 23-year-old power forward within the next eight days, rather than take any of risk losing him in the offseason.

He is currently under contract for $4.6 million this season and will become a restricted free agent if he does not sign an extension before January 25—hence the eight-day time frame.

If Love refuses this offer, and it is quite possible as it is well below the max, he can accept the team's one-year, $6.1 million qualifying tender and leave after the 2012-13 season.

The UCLA standout measures 6’10”, 260 pounds and possesses a passion for rebounding, a knack for outside shooting and decent defense. He’s easily the second-best player from the 2008 draft class and deserves a max deal for his size and skills.

Timberwolves GM David Kahn refuses to speak on the status of the negotiations and the player won’t even admit he even knows they are going on.

Perhaps this is because Love's agent is so appalled by the offer.

Love is eligible to receive up to five years and $80 million for an extension, which means that his client is getting lowballed.

It would be stupid for Minnesota not to step their offer up to a more respectable number and keep their double-double manufacturer happy and under contract.

The T-Wolves have not been competitive 2003-2004 season when they lost in the Western Conference Finals. Adding to that, ever since they shipped Kevin Garnett to the Celtics before the '07 campaign, they have not had a franchise player.

Love brings the competitive fire every night and, along with rookie Ricky Rubio, is truly someone the franchise can build around for years to come.   

They need to make sure he is properly paid and wearing their uniform for a long time, or run a high risk of slipping back into obscurity.