Kevin Love said Sunday that he is losing patience with the Minnesota Timberwolves organization. (Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)
Kevin Love revealed Sunday his current state of displeasure with the Minnesota Timberwolves organization, urging management to improve the team’s roster and questioning his desire to stay in Minnesota for the longterm.
In an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Marc J. Spears, Love made no secret of his irritation at being the only member of Team USA that has never appeared in an NBA playoff game.
“My patience is not high,” Love said. “Would yours be, especially when I’m a big proponent of greatness surrounding itself with greatness? … It’s tough seeing all these guys that are young and older who have all played in the playoffs. When they start talking about that, I have nothing to talk about. If I don’t make the playoffs next year I don’t know what will happen.”
The Timberwolves haven’t made the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons. Love has been in Minnesota for four of them. And he doesn’t think Timberwolves management has done enough to try to change that.
In January, Love signed a four-year, $62 million extension, which kicks in this season. But he can opt out of the contract and become a free agent after the third year. And this year could be definitive in whether Love plans to stay in Minnesota beyond those three seasons.
“I would say it’s coming down to it for sure [next season]. It’s no secret I was willing to commit to Minnesota for five years. I’m very happy with my contract. I’d love to be in Minnesota. But like anybody else, I want to win.”
This offseason, the Timberwolves have agreed to terms with guard Brandon Roy, as he attempts to make a comeback from knee injuries that forced him to temporarily retire last year. They have also agreed to an four-year, $45 million offer sheet with forward Nicolas Batum. Batum would prefer to join the Timberwolves, but the Portland Trail Blazers plan to match the offer. And Minnesota also swung a trade with the Rockets for forward Chase Budinger.
