Why Kevin Love Was Smart to Sign Extension with Timberwolves on His Terms

Kevin Love has agreed to a new four-year contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, there is a clause in Love's contract that could allow for him to leave the team after three seasons.

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To do so, Minnesota had to grant Love a player option in the final year of a four-year deal worth in excess of $60 million, sources said.

The deal will be signed Wednesday afternoon, after the Wolves complete their morning shootaround in Dallas, a source said.

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Love took to his personal Twitter account to celebrate the news shortly after the news was released.

The Timberwolves had to get this deal done, and it was imperative that the franchise sew up its most important player long-term.

David Kahn and the Minnesota front office was reluctant to give Love the fifth year, but the team did a great job in finding a middle ground with the power forward to keep him in the fold for the foreseeable future.

From Love's perspective, it's a phenomenal deal for a number of reasons.

Assuming he stays healthy, he'll get another huge contract when his current one expires.

Additionally, Love's ability to opt out puts heat on the front office to continually improving the team around him.

Now with the chance to become an unrestricted free agent after three seasons of the deal, Love has the ability to evaluate his surroundings before locking himself into a long-term commitment which he may regret down the line.

Love was seen "visibly angry" with Kahn's last contract offer prior to agreeing to a deal, and it's rather surprising that there was this much haggling over his worth to the franchise.

Minnesota had been the laughing stock of the league, and the club had to send a definitive message that it would be willing to spend big when it was right to do so.

Averaging 24.9 points and 13.9 rebounds per game this season, the Timberwolves would've been facing some serious scrutiny if the team had been unable to get a deal done.

It's a beneficial deal for both sides, and Love did well to sign the extension on his terms rather than be forced into accepting a contract he may wind up regretting down the road.

It's a good day for the Minnesota Timberwolves and their fans.

He's worth every penny he got to a team that had to hold onto its most recognizable and productive player, and the Timberwolves will now look to build a successful team around him.