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.