National Basketball Association roundup

[August 23, 2014]  Aug 22 (The Sports Xchange) - The 30-day waiting period on the Kevin Love trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers ends Saturday and the Minnesota Timberwolves expect to land Philadelphia 76ers power forward Thaddeus Young in addition to No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins, according to multiple reports.

The Timberwolves agreed weeks ago to send Love, a power forward, to Cleveland where he will team up with forward LeBron James and point guard Kyrie Irving. The Cavs will become the instant favorite in the Eastern Conference.

According to reports, the Wolves will receive guard Wiggins, 2013 No. 1 pick and forward Anthony Bennett, Young and a trade exception believed to be worth at least $4 million that they can use to acquire a player in the next year without being strapped by salary-cap rules.

ESPN reported that the Wolves are expected to surrender a future first-round pick along with the expiring contracts of Luc Richard Mbah A Moute and Alexey Shved to the Sixers for Young, who has two seasons left on his deal valued at $19.4 million.

As Phoenix explores possible sign-and-trade deals involving guard Eric Bledsoe, ESPN reported that the Suns reached out to Minnesota to gauge whether the Timberwolves would be a willing trade partner involving Love.
 

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An optimistic Carmelo Anthony, who admits he was close to leaving New York, feels the new culture will make the difference for the Knicks this season.

"I don't think we will have another season like we had last year (37-45 record). When I say, 'I believe that we will make the playoffs,' that's where I'm coming from. I think we will have a much better season than we did last year," Anthony said, according to ESPN.com.

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The Charlotte Hornets signed first-round guard P.J. Hairston.

The Hornets acquired the rights to Hairston (26th overall pick) and guard Semaj Christon (55th overall pick), along with a 2019 second-round draft pick and cash considerations, from the Miami Heat in exchange for the rights to guard Shabazz Napier (24th overall pick).

The 6-foot-6 Hairston became the first NBA's Development League player to be selected in the first round of the draft.

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The Atlanta Hawks re-signed guard Shelvin Mack.

In 73 games for the Hawks last season (11 starts), Mack averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 assists (second on the team).

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The Houston Rockets re-signed unrestricted free agent guard/forward Francisco Garcia.

Last season with the Rockets, the 6-foot-7 Garcia averaged 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assist per game. (Editing by Gene Cherry)

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