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After more than a month of rumors and speculation, Kevin Love is officially a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, having been acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves as a part of a three-team deal that also involves the Philadelphia 76ers. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports first reported that the trade had been completed. The Timberwolves also took out a full-page ad in the St. Paul Pioneer Press this morning that acknowledged the trade.
The Cavaliers are sending their last two No. 1 overall picks, Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, and a first round pick to the Timberwolves. Minnesota will also receive a trade exception worth $6.3 million. The 76ers are sending power forward Thaddeus Young to Minnesota and will be taking back the expiring contracts of Alexey Shved and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, as well as a first round pick.
Love, 25, has career averages of 19.2 points per game and 12.2 rebounds per game in six seasons, all with the Timberwolves. He is generally regarded as one of the top players (and power forwards) in the NBA. By acquiring Love, the Cavaliers have given themselves a "Big Three" of Love, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Under the assumption that Love would be acquired, ESPN forecasted earlier this week that the Cavaliers would win two titles with James, Love and Irving at the center.
Press conferences for each player with their new team will likely take place later this week once physicals have been passed and the league has formally approved the trade.