Report: Warriors Still Won’t Include Thompson In Love Trade

LeBron James’ decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers has made them major contenders in the ongoing trade sweepstakes for Kevin Love, but the Golden State Warriors aren’t budging. According to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, the Warriors still won’t include Klay Thompson in any potential Love trade despite Cleveland’s emergence as a favorite in the proceedings.

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The Warriors have refuted the idea that Thompson would be part of any Love trade package since news of his inclusion initially surfaced. Though it was reported in the interim that Golden State’s front office brass was divided over whether or not to part with Thompson, that they are still balking at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ insistence to include him is telling.

However, a sizable contingent of analysts – including some of us at Dime – believe that the Warriors will ultimately acquiesce to Minny’s demands once push comes to shove. With the Cavaliers’ sudden rise as major suitors for Love due to James’ presence, that time could be now. Not unlike their requirement of Thompson in any deal with Golden State, the ‘Wolves reportedly won’t part with Love unless they receive number one draft pick Andrew Wiggins in return.

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Cleveland has been unwilling to include the 19 year-old Wiggins in any deal up to this point, though, and his representatives still believe he’ll play for the Cavaliers next season even in the wake of James’ choice.

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The chance to acquire a player of Love’s caliber is rare. And despite Minnesota’s insistence that it’s content to let him become a free agent next summer, the team is still working from a position of weakness. Golden State and Cleveland are smart to hang onto their prized wings in Love talks as long as possible. The issue for both clubs, though, is that each seems a very realistic trade partner with Minnesota.

Despite today’s developments, the Warriors remain steadfast in their refusal to lose Thompson. Will the Cavs be similarly stubborn with Wiggins? Whoever budges first will likely get Love and be one step closer to winning a title next season.

Should the Warriors trade Thompson for Love?

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