Minnesota Timberwolves: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

3. Kevin Love  (PF/C) — No. 5 pick in 2008 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Timberwolves):  364 GP, 19.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 45.1 FG%, 81.5 FT%

Kevin Love’s situation was very similar to how Stephon Marbury joined the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves initially selected O.J. Mayo with the third overall pick, but they traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies for Kevin Love, the fifth overall pick.

This was a move that was very unpopular at the time by the fans. Fortunately for Minnesota, it ended up being an amazing trade as Kevin Love turned into a four-time NBA All-Star. Love spent six seasons with the Timberwolves. They never put together a playoff season, but that was not because of Love’s effort.

Love’s first two seasons were decent for a rookie/sophomore, but he really turned it on during his third NBA season. He averaged 20.2 points, 2.5 assists and an NBA-high 15.2 rebounds per game during the 2010-11 season. He was so impressive that he had 10 points and 10 rebounds for 53 consecutive games. That was the first year Kevin Love was an NBA All-Star.

Kevin Love was eventually traded before the start of the 2014-15 season to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett. It was a move that was beneficial for both teams. The Cavaliers got a ready-to-win player to pair with LeBron James and the Timberwolves received a promising rookie in Andrew Wiggins to start a new era.