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. Dwan Edwards Black 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. Frank Alexander Black Jersey . -- Ricky Foley believes he made the right decision last year to leave the B. J.J. Jansen Black Jersey . TSN Radio 990 and TSN Radio 1290 can be heard nationally on TSN Mobile and also online with their own specialized pages at TSN.ca. TSN 990 is the official home of Montreal Canadiens play-by-play coverage, with John Bartlett, Sergio Momesso and Bobby Dollas behind the mike.CLEVELAND -- Lester Hudson has taken Cleveland by storm. Could the rest of the NBA be next? Hudson, rescued from the NBA Development League by an injury-riddled Cleveland team last month, scored 25 points -- including 14 in the fourth quarter -- and the Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 103-90 on Tuesday night. Hudson has scored 74 points in Clevelands last three games, including a career-high 26 against New Jersey on Sunday. Thats quite a story for a someone who played in China during the lockout and was playing with the Austin Toros when the Cavaliers signed him to a 10-day contract on March 30. The Cavaliers signed him to a second 10-day contract on Monday. Its almost guaranteed hell finish the season in Cleveland when his current contract expires on April 18. "Its like Im dreaming," Hudson said when asked if hes afraid hes going to wake up. The inevitable comparisons with Knicks guard Jeremy Lin, who captivated the basketball world with his outstanding play earlier this season, have already begun. Both were virtual unknowns before taking advantage of their opportunity. "Hes the only other one who has been able to come into a situation and play really well," Cleveland coach Byron Scott said. Hudson, who had brief stints with Boston, Memphis and Washington previously, is flattered to be talked about in the same category with Lin. "He had a great run," Hudson said. "Hes hurt right now. Im sorry for that, but to be mentioned with him is great." As one would expect, the 27-year-old Hudson has been bombarded with messages from family and friends. "Its been crazy," he said. "Everyones been calling and texting congratulating me because they know how hard Ive worked. I want to kept it going and never let up on working hard every day." The Bobcats, who have lost 13 straight games, were impressed with Hudson, who had eight rebounds and six assists while hitting 9 of 18. "Hes a great player and he deserves to be in this league," said Gerald Henderson, who led Charlotte with 21 points. "Hes a hard worker, and I have a lot of respect for him with the way hes come in and contributed." Anthony Parker, who missed the two previous games with a bruised sternum, scored 19 points while Antawn Jamison added 17 for Cleveland. Rookie Kemba Walker scored 20 while D.J. Augustin, back in the starting lineup after missing three games with right knee tendinitiis, added 16. Drake Nevis Black Jersey. The Bobcats have fallen to a league-worst 7-49. Charlotte hasnt won since beating Toronto on March 17. The Bobcats last road victory came against New Orleans on March 12, and they are also a league-worst 3-26 away from home. The Cavaliers played lethargic basketball for three quarters against the worst team in the league before using a 26-7 run in the final period to put the Bobcats away. Cleveland used a 10-0 run early in the fourth to take control. D.J. White started the quarter with a jumper to give Charlotte a 73-72 lead before the Cavaliers took over. Omri Casspi scored five points, including a 3-pointer, while Luke Walton hit another 3. Clevelands spurt continued when Hudson hit a jumper, a 3 and a layup. He added seven more points in the period as the Cavaliers pulled away. Cleveland outscored Charlotte 31-19 in the final quarter. The Cavaliers had lost their last two games at Quicken Loans Arena by a combined 72 points, making them the first team in NBA history to suffer back-to-back home defeats by 35-plus points. Cleveland lost 121-84 to Milwaukee on March 30 and 125-90 to San Antonio on April 3. Cleveland, which had lost 10 of 11, was once again without point guard Kyrie Irving, a virtual lock to be the Rookie of the Year, and centre Anderson Varejao. Irving has missed five of the last six games with a sprained right shoulder while Varejao has been out for 30 straight games with a broken right wrist. Scott said theres no timetable for their return. Charlotte has to win three of its final 10 games to reach the 10-win plateau. The Bobcats futility was best summed up when Mullens tipped Tristan Thompsons shot into the basket in the second quarter. Augustins return sent Walker back to the bench, but both played well. Augustin had 11 assists while Walker was 9 of 13 from the field. NOTES: Mullens, who worked his way into the Bobcats starting lineup, was scoreless with five rebounds in 27 minutes. ... Charlotte coach Paul Silas said G Reggie Williams (sore left knee) is probable for Thursdays game against Detroit. .... The Cavaliers began a stretch of 12 games in 17 days Tuesday to end the season. Cleveland hosts Indiana on Wednesday. ... Indians manager Manny Acta, along with players Josh Tomlin, Michael Brantley and Aaron Cunningham attended the game. The Indians scheduled game against the White Sox next door at Progressive Field was postponed because of inclement weather. cheap jerseys ' ' '
