NBA Blocks Kevin Love Trade? League Rules On Agreements Violated? LeBron James Very Cautious!

The heavily reported Kevin Love blockbuster trade could be blocked by the NBA if they find that some rules on pre-arranged agreements were violated. LeBron James had to curb his enthusiasm to avoid that.

While reports spread across the media and the internet that it was a done deal, there should be no indication of finality until August 23, which is 30 days after Andrew Wiggins signed his rookie contract.

There is also another possible snag. The rumor that Kevin Love had agreed to sign a new contract with the Cavs after he opts out of his current contract at the end of the 2015 season. Apparently, this is against NBA rules. ESPN reports:

"But sources say that the Cavs and Wolves, knowing that league officials are monitoring this transaction closely, have been careful not to make any public acknowledgments that trade details have already been agreed to. That's because Wiggins remains ineligible to move moved until 30 days pass from the signing his rookie contract.

The Cavs were granted permission last month by Minnesota to speak to Love and his representatives in an introductory fashion, sources say, while James and Love have also been in direct contact about their long-term intentions of playing together in recent weeks. But sources insist that no agreement for Love to sign an extension in Cleveland next summer when he can become a free agent is in place.

Under NBA rules, such an agreement would be illegal and, if proven, potentially could be grounds for the league to block this trade and dole out punishment to both teams. The Wolves were infamously sanctioned heavily in 2000 after it was discovered that the club had promised a lucrative future contract - in writing - to Joe Smith, incurring a fine of $3.5 million and the loss of four first-round picks as well as suspensions for owner Glen Taylor and then-GM Kevin McHale."

The Wolves should have learned this lesson. There is only a violation if it is in writing. That would be easy to avoid. The downside (for the Cavs) is that they cannot bind Love to that agreement if he decides to walk next year.

This is why LeBron James was also cautious in his press conference. Also from ESPN:

"We can't get too far into it because of league rules, we don't know for sure," James said. "I'm not getting my hopes too high on it right now because you don't know what could happen between now and the 23rd."

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Kevin Love Trade
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