MINNEAPOLIS -- Throughout most of last season, Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders and owner Glen Taylor remained steadfast in their stance that they would not consider trading Kevin Love.
Authentic Briean Boddy-Calhoun Jersey . They were determined instead to convince the All-Star forward that he should sign an extension to remain after next season. With the NBA draft lottery coming up this week and an increasing concern that Love will leave for another team after next year, that stance has softened, two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The Timberwolves are now open to the idea of trading Love if the right deal comes along. The people requested anonymity because the team has not made any final decisions on Loves future in Minnesota. Love just finished the second year of a four-year deal that includes an option for him to opt-out in the summer of 2015. The contract terms were the first signs of strife for Love and the organization when former basketball boss David Kahn declined to give him the full five-year maximum deal that Love wanted. Kahn was fired in 2013 and Saunders has worked tirelessly to try to convince Love that he should stay in Minnesota where he can make about $26.5 million more than he can anywhere else. But the Wolves have not made the playoffs in 10 years, including all six of Loves seasons with the team, a lack of success that has one of the best power forwards in the game growing more and more impatient. Neither Love nor his representatives have gone so far as to ask for a trade, but as the NBA draft lottery approaches on Tuesday, the trade market figures to heat up. The Timberwolves are slotted to pick 13th in the first round. But they are holding out hope that they get lucky for the first time in franchise history in the lottery and jump up. Getting one of the top three picks in a strong draft could be an encouraging sign for Love. If that doesnt happen, the Wolves could look at making a trade if they felt it had a chance to make them better in the long run. Love has made three All-Star teams and helped Team USA win the gold medal at the London Olympics. He averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season, but the Wolves finished a disappointing 40-42 and missed the playoffs in the Western Conference. While there remains some question whether Love can be the best player on a championship-calibre team, there figures to be a long list of suitors to line up for his services via trade this summer or free agency next year. But Love would likely have to give any team that makes the Wolves an offer some kind of indication that he is open to signing an extension, much the way Chris Paul did when he was dealt from New Orleans to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011. The uncertainty surrounding Love has also complicated the Wolves pursuit of a coach to replace Rick Adelman, who retired after the season. Saunders has been in the market for a proven, experienced head coach who can come and command respect right away while also handling what most assuredly would be a difficult season filled with constant questions about Loves status. Not surprisingly, most of the names near the top of Saunders list have been reluctant to entertain the idea of taking the job without knowing what is going to happen with Love. Some luck on lottery night could also make the job more attractive for an incoming coach. In the absence of any long-shot lottery luck, the Wolves will ramp up their coaching search after their draft position solidifies on Tuesday night. Names such as Lionel Hollins, Sam Mitchell and Scott Skiles will all get consideration. And return runs at Michigan States Tom Izzo, Floridas Billy Donovan or Iowa States Fred Hoiberg arent out of the question after all three gave them a tepid response early in the process.
Authentic Joel Bitonio Jersey . He made another correct read. The Browns, who have been shuttling quarterbacks on and off the field all season, finally got some good news on that front: Campbells ribs are only bruised.
Authentic Larry Ogunjobi Jersey . In this space, I will be writing new and unique pieces about the team that you wont be able to find anywhere else. So naturally, in an attempt to come up with a fresh topic about the Ottawa Senators, I am going to start with a piece about their goaltending. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Michael Brantley gets to head home celebrating a game-winning hit instead of dwelling on a rare error. Brantley atoned for a dropped fly ball by hitting a two-run single in the ninth inning off new Oakland closer Jim Johnson that helped the Cleveland Indians salvage a split of a day-night doubleheader with a 6-4 win over the Athletics in the nightcap Wednesday. "Its just a never-die attitude, never quit, always picking each other up and always fighting to the end," Brantley said. "What we did tonight was fun. It was special, and hopefully well use that momentum to keep going." Scott Kazmir (1-0) pitched 7 1-3 scoreless innings against his former team in his Oakland debut to help the As win the opener 6-1. They appeared to be on their way to a sweep when they took a 4-3 lead into the ninth with help from Brantleys dropped fly ball. But Johnson allowed back-to-back singles to Ryan Raburn and Nick Swisher to open the inning. After a one-out walk to Carlos Santana loaded the bases, Brantley grounded a single to right field to give the Indians the lead. "Any time you can win a game its always great, but especially in a doubleheader," said Mike Aviles, who homered earlier in the game. "Last thing you want to do is get on that plane after losing two." David Murphy added a sacrifice fly to end Johnsons night to a chorus of boos. Johnson also allowed two runs in the ninth inning to take the loss on opening night and is 0-7 with a 7.94 ERA in 17 games against the Indians. More importantly for As fans he has lost twice since taking over from Grant Balfour as closer. "We should be 3-0 and I take responsibility," Johnson said. "But if I sulk or pout its not going to do anyone any good. I have to be better." Cody Allen (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win and John Axford got three outs for his second save. The As had taken the lead when Brantley dropped a fly ball in left-centre that allowed Josh Donaldson to reach second and ended a club-record streak of 247 games in the outfield without an error. "They both called it at the same time," manager Terry Francona said. "Probably the most conscientious guy on the field is kicking himself. For him to get a hit like thaat was really great.
Authentic Duke Johnson Jr Jersey. " Donaldson later scored on Brandon Moss single that made it 4-3. The teams played the earliest doubleheader in baseball history following the first rainout in Oakland since May 5, 1998, on Tuesday night. The previous earliest doubleheader came on April 7 in 1971, 74 and 96, according to STATS. Kazmir started the day off on the right note for Oakland, allowing three hits and no walks in 7 1-3 scoreless innings. He signed a $22 million, two-year contract in the off-season to replace All-Star Bartolo Colon in the rotation. Kazmirs importance in the rotation only grew when projected opening day starter Jarrod Parker was lost to a season-ending elbow injury and starter A.J. Griffin opened the season on the disabled list. "You always want to make that good first impression and thats what he did," catcher Derek Norris said. "If he had any type of pressure on his shoulders to do something good I think thats pretty much eliminated." Alberto Callaspo hit a two-run homer for the Athletics. Corey Kluber (0-1) failed to make it out of the fourth inning and lost for the first time in 13 starts since June 27. He gave up five runs and eight hits in 3 1-3 innings. He was hurt by a nearly five-minute replay delay in the second inning. The disputed play came with runners on first and third and one out when Josh Donaldson hit a grounder to third. Carlos Santana threw home and umpire Mark Wegner ruled that Gomes tagged Norris before he touched home. As manager Bob Melvin challenged the call but the ruling stood after a review of about 4 minutes, 45 seconds, because there was no conclusive evidence to overturn it. Kluber allowed an RBI single to Lowrie after the delay to fall behind 3-0. "By that point it was apparent I was searching and I dont think that had anything to do with it," Kluber said. "That being said, I thought it took way too long. It took away from the flow of the game and thats what they are trying to avoid." NOTES: Brantleys previous error came on June 3, 2012, against Minnesota. ... The Indians won a replay challenge in the second game when replay showed Nick Punto missed the tag on Aviles on a steal attempt of second base. Cleveland failed to score after the challenge. ' ' '
