If only Kevin Love had to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves for another season.
Larry Brown Sports reported on an interview that Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio did with BasketballAmericano.com, in which Rubio says he doesn't want Love as the leader of the team.
Multiple outlets reported last week that the all-star power forward told the Timberwolves that he intends to leave the team next season if they don't trade him this summer, assuming that the organization will try to get compensation in return for losing Love.
Those comments didn't sit well with Rubio, whose comments with BasketballAmericano.com were translated by Reddit:
"He is a special player, his numbers are unbelievable but maybe our leader must be other player," Rubio said. "He is our leader in points and other things but he can't be or he doesn't want to be our 'voice' leader. ... Perhaps he shouldn't have been our leader, perhaps Kevin Martin could have been our leader because he had more experience, perhaps I could take a step ahead to be the definitive leader."
Were Ricky Rubio and Selena Gomez and item?
Larry Brown Sports came out and proclaimed it doesn't fault Love, who has been with the Timberwolves for six seasons but has yet to make it to the postseason, for wanting to leave. According to CBSSports.com, the Boston Celtics have joined the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors as candidates for his services.
Love is a three-time all-star who averaged a career-high 26.1 points to go along with his 12.5 rebounds per game last season for the Timberwolves, who went 40-42 last season.
Rubio seems resigned to the fact that Love wants out of Minnesota and that no good reason exists for the team holding onto a disgruntled power forward for one more season and then watching him leave.
But if the Timberwolves for some reason decide to keep Love around, his presence should make for an interesting 2014-15 season in Minnesota.
Do you think Kevin Love should have gone public with his demand to be traded? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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