Did A Timberwolves Exec Take A Shot At Kevin Love?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Timberwolves are getting ready for Thursday night's home opener against the Detroit Pistons at Target Center.
Timberwolves officials and staff spent time Thursday morning getting fans excited for the season ahead, offering free breakfast and coffee for those in downtown Minneapolis. But one team executive may have also taken a shot at Kevin Love on WCCO This Morning.
Love was traded away in the offseason to Cleveland in a blockbuster move to acquire Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young. Wiggins was the centerpiece of the deal, and the Timberwolves are hoping he might be the face of the franchise in future years. It also appears he wants to stay here as he recently purchased a home in Minneapolis.
"One thing a lot of people don't know is he moved his entire family up here, his younger sisters, his mom and dad. They bought a house here in the Twin Cities," Timberwolves vice president of communications Brad Ruiter told WCCO-TV's Ali Lucia on WCCO This Morning. "The fact that he moved his entire family up here tells me that he wants to put some roots down here."
Ruiter then made a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek comment about a "previous player" who sounds a lot like Love, who voiced his displeasure with the organization on multiple occasions in his six years with Minnesota. Love made it clear to the Timberwolves he would not be returning to the team after the final year of his contract, forcing the organization to trade him and get something in return.
"We won't name any names, but some other people maybe haven't done that in the past," Ruiter said about making a commitment to be in Minnesota. "We're really excited that he (Wiggins) wants to be not only a member of the organization but part of the community as well."
It should be noted that Love is originally from California and maintains a permanent residence there. He also did not spend his offseasons in the Twin Cities.
The Timberwolves are now moving forward with Wiggins, who scored six points in his first career NBA start Wednesday night.