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Kevin Love Trade Rumors: 5 Ways T’Wolves Get Better

By Michael Dunlap

Apr 16, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles against the Utah Jazz at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles against the Utah Jazz at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles against the Utah Jazz at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles against the Utah Jazz at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

OFFENSE WAS NEVER THE PROBLEM

One of the biggest knocks I hear on this trade is how the Wolves will be lost without Love in the offense. Last season, they were No. 3 in the NBA, averaging 106.9 points per game. Largely, that was due to pace, but the Wolves were still No. 9 in the league in offensive rating. Replacing Love with Young and Wiggins isn’t a wash offensively by any means, but the Wolves will still be a quality offensive club.

Watch how the Wolves offense looked with Love in the mix and realize as you watch that they could absolutely put someone else in that high post spot successfully.

On the other side of things, the Wolves will improve an already underrated defense. They allow 104.3 points per game, which was No. 26 in the NBA, but the dirty little secret — they were No. 12 in defensive rating. The ability to trot out a lineup with Rubio, Wiggins, Brewer, Young and Dieng would be as effective and dynamic as any in the entire NBA. Swap out Pekovic for offense and you’ve still got a lineup that can force turnovers to create the offense that will be missing without Love.

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