Timberwolves: Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio Untouchable in Trades


Despite the rumors, Wolves President David Kahn claims that newcomer Ricky Rubio and star forward Kevin Love aren’t getting let out of Minny anytime soon. From the Star Tribune: “Recent unsourced Internet reports have suggested Love or the No. 2 pick in Thursday’s draft — or quite possibly both — could be headed to Los Angeles for Lakers veteran forward Pau Gasol. It’s a proposal that at first glance — and second and third — doesn’t make any sense for a rebuilding franchise. Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who’s long, athletic, only 23 and might be available for the pick and other pieces? Yes. But Gasol? Love is 22. Gasol, 31, and is owed $60 million over the next three seasons. ‘Absolutely not, no ifs ands or buts,’ Kahn said. ‘Kevin will be on this team next year and I expect Kevin, as I’ve said numerous times, to be on this team for many, many years. I see him as being a very important part of our future.’ He took the same stance on Rubio, even though it’s conceivable Cleveland could take Arizona’s Derrick Williams first in Thursday’s NBA draft. That would leave Duke point guard Kyrie Irving available two days after the Wolves welcomed Rubio to the franchise. ‘Ricky Rubio will not be traded by the Timberwolves,’ Kahn said. ‘You can go to sleep on it. He’s here for a long, long time.'”