NBA Rumors: Is Kevin Love Beginning His Farewell Tour with Timberwolves?

Kevin Love is not only one of the best forwards in the NBA, but he is the cornerstone of the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise. However, Love is heading into the final year of his rookie contract with the Timberwolves and has yet to sign an extension. 

Timberwolves’ fans have to be asking themselves, could he be preparing his exit from Minnesota to go back to Los Angeles, or back home to play for Portland? 

Love can be signed to an extension of his rookie contract by January 25th. Once that day passes, he will become a restricted free agent after this year. 

If that happens, Minnesota has the right to match any offer that another team would make for him, or Love could sign a one-year qualifying offer. 

If Love would sign a one-year deal, he would then be able to sign with any team for the 2013 season.

From the Minnesota Star Tribune, Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahan talked about the Love contract negations: 

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Kahn said again Tuesday night in Milwaukee that he will not discuss any contract negotiations with Love's agent publicly, other than to call the matter "very important" and say he expects Love will play for the Wolves for "many, many" years.

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That is good news for Timberwolves’ fans. It seems as if the front office expects Love to stay with the club for a very long time.

However, from that same Star Tribune piece, they have a quote from Love about the latest moves by Minnesota to build a winning team, and if those moves would help his decision to stay with the team. 

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"That helped the situation, with [Adelman] here, with Ricky coming over and the youthful group that we have," Love said. "That's definitely helped. But until the time comes, I can't really say I've decided."

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I’m not saying that Love will force his way out of Minnesota, like Chris Paul did out of New Orleans, or Carmelo Anthony did out of Denver. Minnesota has enough cap room to sign Love to a max contract, should they want to offer him one.

However, with the Jan. 25th deadline quickly approaching, and with no progress being reported, Love could enter the offseason as a free agent. If that would happen, the Timberwolves could see him walk away to any team that would offer a max contract because they do not want to pay him that much money. 

Love has said that he isn’t thinking about getting a max contract, but I’m sure his agent is.  

The Timberwolves have to sign the face of their franchise by Jan. 25. If they do not, we will see a lot of teams that will clear cap space to make a run at him when the free agency period begins at the end of the season.  

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