The NBA Trade Rumors for Kevin Love is at fever pitch. The declaration that Kevin Love will explore free agency in 2015 caused the Minnesota Timberwolves front office to wave the white flag. Have they decided on a destination?

The shoe seems to fit. There was a solid statement by T-Wolves owner Glen Taylor to the Star Tribune. The report:

"Glen Taylor said 'Not by the draft.'  Taylor said he hasn't discussed that option recently with Flip Saunders, the team's president of basketball operations, and said Love has not asked for or told the team to trade him. Taylor has remained hopeful the team, searching for a coach to replace Rick Adelman, will show enough improvement next season to convince Love his future is with a team that hasn't made the playoffs in a decade."

The key element there is the milestone that he chose. Why the draft? Why not sooner?

Here's a clue. From NBC:

"The Lakers are much better-positioned to trade for Love. They can't deal their 2014 first-round pick until after the draft, but they could always pick on behalf of the Timberwolves and then officially complete the transaction later. "

The rumor is that they will finalize the details of the transaction after the NBA draft lottery to be held on Tuesday , May 20. The Lakers, as it stands, is at 6^th place but they can jump all the way to first place through the lottery. Depending on whether they are 1^st to 6^th place, they might add players to the draft. If the Lakers win the draft, it will probably be a one-on-one trade (or LA might even bargain for more). If they remain at 6^th, they may need to sweeten the deal for Minnesota.

The Lakers have only three players under contract: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre. Nick Young has a player option he can utilize to get a bigger contract somewhere else. The T-Wolves will probably not want any of those. The Lakers may use their pick for Minnesota and sign and trade other players like Jordan Hill, Chris Kaman, Jodie Meeks, etc.

This is the 'monster push' that was rumored from LA. Other teams like Phoenix, Boston, Golden State are preparing offers, and the Celtics have a similar offer with better sweeteners in their roster. But the big caveat is that Kevin Love may not sign an extension there and leave after one year.

The other teams will also not take that risk and pull out their offers if Love doesn't assure them that he'll stay. This is why his preference for LA and the Lakers will be a factor.