HoopsHype.com Rumors

Sam Amico: NBA exec says anyone who thinks Wolves would trade Kevin Love "can't actually follow the NBA," and other teams know not to bother asking. Twitter @SamAmicoFSO

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Kevin Love 

For the Timberwolves to reach any vision, Saunders will need Love on board. So far, the team’s new general manager has that. “He’s very hopeful that I’ll be part of the team, a big part of the team, for many years to come,” Love said. “And I don’t see why he should think otherwise.” NBCSports.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Love 

If Mike Krzyzewski is unsure whether to return as USA Basketball’s coach for the 2016 Olympics, would Kevin Love try to convince the Duke coach to return? “Of course,” Love said. Love said he’s been in “constant contact” with Men’s National Team Director Sean Ford about Krzyzewski’s status. “I’ve really enjoyed my time playing under Coach K in the World Championships and the Olympics and developing a relationship with him,” Love said. “It’s been really great. So, I’m really hoping he does come back. NBCSports.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, USA Basketball, Kevin Love, Mike Krzyzewski 

Earlier this month the team’s ownership group dismissed president of basketball operations David Kahn, who compiled a league worst 89-223 (.285) during his tenure at the helm. The club hired league veteran Flip Saunders into the role and he has immediately received praise from Love since his arrival. “I think Flip is great,” Love said to HOOPSWORLD. “I’ve always admired what he’s done, obviously coming from the Timberwolves prior, being with Detroit and having been in the Western and Eastern Conference Finals he’s got quite a reputation. “I think as far as him meshing and being in constant contract with coach [Rick] Adelman is going to be great for us. We’re hopeful and confident that he’ll make the right decisions and move us forward in the right direction.” HoopsWorld

Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Love 

If Mike Krzyzewski is unsure whether to return as USA Basketball’s coach for the 2016 Olympics, would Kevin Love try to convince the Duke coach to return? “Of course,” Love said. Love said he’s been in “constant contact” with Men’s National Team Director Sean Ford about Krzyzewski’s status. NBCSports.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, USA Basketball, Kevin Love, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski 

“I’ve really enjoyed my time playing under Coach K in the World Championships and the Olympics and developing a relationship with him,” Love said. “It’s been really great. So, I’m really hoping he does come back." NBCSports.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, USA Basketball, Kevin Love, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski 

Jon Krawczynski: Flip says Love and Rubio plan to workout together in late June. Likes the commitment vibe he's getting from everyone he talks to Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love, Flip Saunders 

Chris Mannix: Love sounded very happy with the Flip Saunders regime. Says he and Saunders talk every other day. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Love, Flip Saunders 

There has been speculation that Kevin Love will opt-out of his contract in 2015 because the Minnesota Timberwolves forward isn't happy with the organization and how it treated him when it gave him a four-year, $62 million deal instead of the five-year, $80 million maximum designation in 2012. But Flip Saunders, the Wolves' new president of basketball operations, told 1500 ESPN on Tuesday that he has talked to Love and doesn't think there needs to be any repair between the organization and the player. "I don't think so," Saunders said. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Love, Flip Saunders, Rick Adelman 

Timberwolves star forward Kevin Love has accepted an invitation from Flip Saunders, the new president of basketball operations, to represent the team at the NBA draft lottery May 21 in Secaucus, N.J. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Draft, Kevin Love, Flip Saunders 

The Timberwolves' relationship with Kevin Love will undoubtedly improve with the ouster of David Kahn, but how will it impact Ricky Rubio? Sources say the Rubio family is disappointed in the decision, largely because Kahn is the one who stuck his neck out and drafted Rubio knowing he couldn't come over right away and did a lot of the legwork to expedite the start of Rubio's NBA career. Maybe it blows over -- Rubio wouldn't be the first player who disagreed with a decision yet eventually put it behind him -- but it bears watching. Sulia

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, David Kahn, Kevin Love 

Did you handle the contract extension with (Kevin Love) well? A. We handled it the best way we can, and of course I handled it per instructions from the owner. Glen and I talked about it at length. I think it actually took me some time to tell Glen it was imperative he receive max money. The only issue, the only quibble came down to that last year and as I’ve said countless times, for us the danger was if you commit for five years, you’re really committed for six because of the lockout year, which he was playing. It’s an awfully long time to string a contract out with all the variables that can occur mostly due to injuries and oftentimes to big men. That was it. I think Kevin really had his heart set on a fifth year. I think his friendship with Russell Westbrook (who signed a five-year deal with OKC) made it difficult to accept, but that’s why I also prevailed upon Glen that we should relent and give him a third-year option so he felt like he was winning something too. In every compromise it’s important for both sides to walk away with something that was valuable to have. That’s what that was all about. I never had any problems offering that third year option. I thought it was the right thing to do. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Kevin Love 

Kevin Love: Happy for @Jason Collins in his decision. A great teammate and friend. Thanks for helping me through my rookie season!! #classact #courage Twitter @kevinlove

Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, Kevin Love, Jason Collins 

How badly do the Bulls want Love?: He has been on their radar for awhile. Like many teams, the Bulls would love to have him. He would serve as one half of a rebounding twin towers next to Joakim Noah. He can also shoot the three and would figure to work well with Noah since both can see the floor very well. Love would seemingly also fit in well to the Bulls locker room seeing that he has trained in the past with Rose and the two have always spoken highly of one another. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Kevin Love 

“You never want to have a season like this,” said Love, who suffered through two broken hands, hand surgery and, most recently, arthroscopic knee surgery to fix a knee that had started aching as he tried to work toward his return. In all, Love played in just 18 games this season, one that began with high hopes but ended with the Wolves in the draft lottery. “Who would have thought coming into this that I would have two broken hands?” Love said. “And had to have surgery and now this? The best part about it is, I’ll have a clean bill of health and I’ll be ready to go in a month.’’ Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Kevin Love 

Indeed, Love might have played his last game for Adelman. “I’ll continue to say this: We need to have him back,” Love said. “We[’d] love to have him back. I know his family comes first, but hopefully we can sit down and talk to him. This year has given us a lot of perspective, and hopefully he can see we have the making of a very good team here. We can make a push and have a special year next year. …. I think he’ll come back.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Kevin Love, Rick Adelman 

PP: Do you want the team's medical and training staff to monitor Love's offseason workout program more closely to make sure he's healthy next season? GT: I'm not worried about Kevin. He has told me, 'I'm going to be in as good a shape and fit as I've ever been.' He has talked to our people about what he's going to do in the offseason. It sounds aggressive and stimulating. He's taking the leadership on that. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Kevin Love, Glen Taylor 

Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn told local writer Britt Robson a while ago that he wasn't saving his 5-year contract offer for point guard Ricky Rubio. That he would get the same opportunity as forward Kevin Love (four years, with a player option after the third year). Well, Rubio's camp has never heard a word about that. In fact, the belief is he'll get a five-year offer when eligible starting in the summer 2014. That would be after three years of service. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, David Kahn, Kevin Love 

Kevin Love did have that arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue buildup on his left knee today while he was at New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery to have a plate removed from his healing right shooting hand. The team, of course, termed the surgery "successful." While he's in New York City, the Wolves continue their three-game Western trip without Dante Cunningham against the Clippers in Los Angeles. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Kevin Love 

Marc J. Spears: Wolves say F that Kevin Love likely out 4-6 weeks after having a arthroscopic left knee surgery today to remove a buildup of scar tissue. Twitter @SpearsNBAYahoo

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Kevin Love