Knicks also interested but were expected to wait until free agency in 2015.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are reportedly looking to explore the potential of a Kevin Love trade deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 25-year-old is expected to test free agency in 2015, but it has been reported that the duo are eager to figure out a deal now as opposed to waiting until then.
However, while the Lakers will boast significant cap space in 2015, it is understood that the Timberwolves have no intention on entertaining talks at this stage as they continue to push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference this season.
“The Lakers and Mavericks are trying to assemble trade offers for prospective free agent Kevin Love, but thus far the Timberwolves have given no indication they’ll consider moving the All-Star forward by Thursday’s deadline”, league sources told CBSSports.com.
Furthermore, Minnesota general manager Flip Saunders is understood to have indicated that there is “no way” he will trade Love by Thursday’s 8 p.m. GMT deadline.
Instead, it is reported that the respective parties could revisit the situation in the summer, although it is widely expected that the Lakers will be front-runners when Love explores free agency as he has given no sign thus far that he is ready to leave Minnesota with a year-and-a-half left on his current deal.
His agent Jeff Schwartz wants his client to play in a major market and become the face of a contender, and having played at UCLA, Love is fully aware of the market and iconic franchise that he could represent.
Nevertheless, the only way that Minnesota are expected to enter into trade talks is if they get an indication from the player himself that he is likely to quit in free agency, and that may only become apparent next season at the earliest.
In that situation, they will be more likely to push for a trade and receive pieces in return, although aside from Pau Gasol and his expiring $19.3m contract, the Lakers have little to offer that could entice them into parting with Love over the next 24 hours.
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