Weekly NBA Fix: Love Can Be Expensive, Apparently

Welcome to the Weekly NBA Fix for Saturday, July 19, where we are learning that some people are willing to pay a very steep price for Love.

Kevin Love, that is.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard is reporting that the Cleveland Cavaliers—who reportedly initially balked at the notion of including this year’s top overall draft choice, Andrew Wiggins in a potential deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves for Love—are now willing to deal not just Wiggins, but also last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Anthony Bennett, and their No. 1 pick in 2015.

Broussard has been wrong before, or at least been called out for his reporting ethics, but after reports last week claiming new Cavalier LeBron James has reached out to his former U.S. Olympic teammate about joining forces in Cleveland, the Cavaliers front office might be sweetening the pot.

Or, Broussard wrote (and I’m giving it to you verbatim so you can judge its veracity on your own):

"There is also a feeling around the league that Minnesota is attempting to drive up the price for Love by having the Cavs and Warriors compete for the deal."

The Timberwolves have reportedly also been engaged in trade talks with the Golden State Warriors, who remain unwilling to include Klay Thompson in a deal and instead are said to be offering David Lee and Harrison Barnes.

But back-to-back No. 1 overall picks, plus next year’s first-rounder (which likely won’t be No. 1 overall with LeBron back in town)?

When people say Love is priceless, I guess they weren’t kidding.

The premier free agents have mostly been plucked off the market, but there’s still player movement aplenty out there, so here’s a division-by-division look at what’s making news around the NBA this week: