Kevin Love Contract: Timberwolves Forward To Receive Max Offer

The Star-Tribune reported Thursday that the Timberwolves are offering star forward Kevin Love a maximum-salary contract.

Love is slated to become a free agent at the end of the season, but a max offer would keep him in Minnesota for years to come. Depending on whether or not the Timberwolves make Love a “designated player,” a max deal would net him either $61 million over four years or, with the “designated player” tag, $78 million over five years.

The Star-Tribune reports that Minnesota would prefer to save their “designated player” tag for the future, but that the Wolves might have to use it now to keep their marquee big man around.

Love, a fourth-year player, is fourth in the league in points (25.2) and second in rebounds (14.5), is making $4.6 million this year. He is shooting 36 percent from downtown and nearly 81 percent from the free throw line. Love is tops in the league in free throws per game, and is second to only Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins in offensive rebounding, snaring 4.8 per game.

Kevin Love Contract: Timberwolves Likely To Offer 60 Million Dollar, Four Year Deal, According To Report

Kevin Love has played incredibly well for the Minnesota Timberwolves so far this season after getting steadily better every year he played in the league, and the Timberwolves look like they're ready to reward Love for his hard work with a large contract.

Love is currently making only $4.6 million this year, making him the fifth highest paid member of the Wolves. A report says that the Wolves will likely be offering him a $60 million, four year long contract at some point in the next week. With Love eligible for free agency in the next few years, it could a smart move by the Wolves if true.

Love began the 2012 season with a ludicrous 13 straight games with double doubles and is averaging high numbers in just about every category. If this is indeed the contract that the Timberwolves are going to offer their forward, it's hard to say that it wasn't very well deserved.

Via Pioneer Press

For more on Love and the Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus.

Kevin Love Contract: Timberwolves To Offer Forward Maximum Extenstion, According To Report

For more on Kevin Love and the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NBA hub at SBNation.com/NBA.