5 Reasons the Minnesota Timberwolves Will Re-Sign Kevin Love

With recent talk about Kevin Love's contract extension—or lack thereof—there is some speculation as to whether David Kahn will make the right decision and re-sign the All-Star forward.

I'm confident that Love will remain with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's the key to this franchise, and I believe that Kahn and his team recognize the importance of keeping him in blue and white.

Here are five reasons why K-Love will continue to find his home at the Target Center.

Love Has Improved in Every Season Since the Draft

Drafted No. 5 overall out of UCLA in 2008, Kevin Love has impressed fans since Day 1. During his rookie season with the Wolves, Love averaged 11 points and nine rebounds per game.

He's only improved since then.

If you look up his stats page on ESPN.com, you'll find that the fourth-year forward continues to improve his numbers:

Average Numbers by Season

2008-2009: 11 points, nine rebounds

2009-2010: 14 points, 11 rebounds

2010-2011: 20 points, 15 rebounds

Granted, we are only two weeks into this year's shortened season. However, Love is already averaging 25 points and 15 rebounds per game—consistently adding double-doubles to the record he broke last year.

Love Is the Best Big Man the Timberwolves Have

Despite originally being a No. 2 draft pick and listed at the Minnesota Timberwolves' starting center, Darko Milicic fails to be the most reliable player under the basket.

Milicic played seven disappointing seasons with four different teams before coming to Minnesota during the 2009-2010 season, and he continues to show more and more consistency in his time with the Midwest ball club.

However, thus far he is averaging seven points and five points per game. Although Love primarily plays forward, he cleans the board night after night and plays well with Milicic. He also serves as a quality alternate for center when Milicic needs a breather.

Letting Love go would leave a giant hole beneath the basket—Milicic simply cannot hold the floor without support.

Love Is a Fan Favorite

Although 2011-2012 only marks Love's fourth season with the Timberwolves, he stands as an icon for fans.

It's no secret that the last few seasons have been incredibly rough for the Wolves, and Minnesota fans continue to support their team. As cliche as it may sound, I'm going to say it anyway:

Love has served as a ray of hope in an incredibly desolate organization.

Things are finally starting to look up for the Timberwolves, and it only makes sense for Love to be a part of it.

Following the Long Offseason, Love Is Back Better Than Ever

Anybody watching Kevin Love in a game this year cannot help but notice his change in physical appearance.

Rather than worrying about the lockout, the former UCLA forward spent the extended offseason preparing to play basketball—and it shows.

When Love started training camp on Dec. 9, he weighed in at 240 pounds—25 pounds lighter then last season. Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune stated:

"A sleeker Love will mean more mobility, and will ease the pressure on his knees as they take a pounding through a shorter, but still lengthy NBA season."

Now, more than ever, it's obvious that Love is dedicated to his game. Taylor and Kahn will certainly keep that dedication in Minnesota.

Glen Taylor and David Kahn Didn't Spend Money for Nothing

Owner Glen Taylor and GM David Kahn have each experienced their fair share of criticism when it comes to spending money. Take, for example, a comment in an October Canis Hoops article:

Would anyone dispute that David Kahn is a bargain-bin executive?

In the past, it appeared that Taylor was—let's just say it—too cheap to support more than one championship athlete on the roster. Take Kevin Garnett, for example. The only time the Wolves came close to contending during the Garnett era was when Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell joined him on the floor.

This year, however, things seem to be changing for the better. Seasoned coach Rick Adelman requires a larger paycheck than most coaches in the league, and yet the Minnesota Timberwolves brought him in.

"[Adelman's] 'stock' price is rather prohibitive: upwards of $5 million a year," the article continued. "No coach outside of Phil Jackson gets paid that kind of money. But with that price comes success."

Taylor also provided a healthy contract for newly acquired J.J. Barea (formerly a member the Dallas Mavericks) and has added Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams to the mix.

Adelman's signing—combined with the roster additions—proves that Taylor is serious about paying for a winning team. This is the first time I've been able to say this, but I say it with confidence:

There is no way Taylor will let Kevin Love go to save a few pennies.