NBA Rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves Can't Afford for Kevin Love to Be Unhappy

The Minnesota Timberwolves know that Kevin Love can't be offered more in restricted free agency than they are reportedly offering him, but by "short-changing" him they run the risk of alienating the 23-year-old forward.

The Timberwolves are looking at offering Love either four years, $61 million, or five years, $78 million, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star-Tribune.

But, according to Zgoda, president of basketball operations "David Kahn hasn't won any brownie points with Love in this negotiation."

The Timberwolves must decide whether a few million dollars more is worth it in the long run. Yes, they are apparently offering him the most he would get if he hit restricted free agency after the season, but is that enough?

He's averaging 24.9 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.0 three-pointers per game this season and is generally regarded as a top-five power forward. He just dropped 39 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against the Houston Rockets on Monday.

Keep in mind, Love also has the option of playing out a qualifying offer next season (about $6 million). Obviously, that would be more risky for him than to just take the extension, but if he feels he's being slighted and wants to go to another team there's certainly the potential for him to do that.

Kahn needs to realize that he has a superstar on a losing team.

First of all, signing Love to an extension would be a victory in itself, given not a whole lot of superstars think of Minnesota as a great destination right now.

Secondly, where would the Timberwolves be without Love? They wouldn't be 7-10. They'd probably be at the very bottom of the league.

Obviously, if you're in Kahn's position, you try to get the most bang for your buck, but you simply can't afford to alienate Love at his point. If Love is unhappy with the way negotiations have gone, Kahn needs to make things right. He has a franchise player and if he isn't careful that "Love" is going to vanish.