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MINNEAPOLIS -- Throughout most of last season, Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders and owner Glen Taylor remained steadfast in their stance that they would not consider trading Kevin Love. They were determined instead to convince the All-Star forward that he should sign an extension to remain after next season. With the NBA draft lottery coming up this week and an increasing concern that Love will leave for another team after next year, that stance has softened, two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The Timberwolves are now open to the idea of trading Love if the right deal comes along. The people requested anonymity because the team has not made any final decisions on Loves future in Minnesota. Love just finished the second year of a four-year deal that includes an option for him to opt-out in the summer of 2015. The contract terms were the first signs of strife for Love and the organization when former basketball boss David Kahn declined to give him the full five-year maximum deal that Love wanted. Kahn was fired in 2013 and Saunders has worked tirelessly to try to convince Love that he should stay in Minnesota where he can make about $26.5 million more than he can anywhere else. But the Wolves have not made the playoffs in 10 years, including all six of Loves seasons with the team, a lack of success that has one of the best power forwards in the game growing more and more impatient. Neither Love nor his representatives have gone so far as to ask for a trade, but as the NBA draft lottery approaches on Tuesday, the trade market figures to heat up. The Timberwolves are slotted to pick 13th in the first round. But they are holding out hope that they get lucky for the first time in franchise history in the lottery and jump up. Getting one of the top three picks in a strong draft could be an encouraging sign for Love. If that doesnt happen, the Wolves could look at making a trade if they felt it had a chance to make them better in the long run. Love has made three All-Star teams and helped Team USA win the gold medal at the London Olympics. He averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season, but the Wolves finished a disappointing 40-42 and missed the playoffs in the Western Conference. While there remains some question whether Love can be the best player on a championship-calibre team, there figures to be a long list of suitors to line up for his services via trade this summer or free agency next year. But Love would likely have to give any team that makes the Wolves an offer some kind of indication that he is open to signing an extension, much the way Chris Paul did when he was dealt from New Orleans to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011. The uncertainty surrounding Love has also complicated the Wolves pursuit of a coach to replace Rick Adelman, who retired after the season. Saunders has been in the market for a proven, experienced head coach who can come and command respect right away while also handling what most assuredly would be a difficult season filled with constant questions about Loves status. Not surprisingly, most of the names near the top of Saunders list have been reluctant to entertain the idea of taking the job without knowing what is going to happen with Love. Some luck on lottery night could also make the job more attractive for an incoming coach. In the absence of any long-shot lottery luck, the Wolves will ramp up their coaching search after their draft position solidifies on Tuesday night. Names such as Lionel Hollins, Sam Mitchell and Scott Skiles will all get consideration. And return runs at Michigan States Tom Izzo, Floridas Billy Donovan or Iowa States Fred Hoiberg arent out of the question after all three gave them a tepid response early in the process. Custom Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys . - Chelseas 1-0 win at the Etihad, spoiling Manchester Citys perfect home record continues to be the talking point of the week. Vita Vea Jersey . -- Billy Andrade hasnt played much competitive golf over the past four years. http://www.shopbuccaneersauthentic.com/Youth-John-Lynch-Elite-Jersey/ . The Thunder earned the Game 1 win with a 100-86 victory Saturday night. Oklahoma City dominated the first half and led by 22 at the break, but saw its lead shrink to just two points in the fourth quarter. Vinny Curry Jersey . Villar connected off Joe Saunders (11-14), sending a drive well over the left-field fence for his first career homer. The Astros scored six times in the first three innings to chase Saunders. Alex Cappa Buccaneers Jersey . "Im going to send Webbie a six-pack (of beer) tonight," she said. Webb wasnt sure that would help. "Ill probably drink one and go to sleep," the Australian veteran said. The two players set up a Sunday showdown between former HSBC champions after finishing off their third rounds with identical birdies over three of the last five holes Saturday to separate themselves slightly from the rest of the crowded leaderboard.SUNRISE, Fla. -- Ben Scrivens made the most of his first start in goal for the Los Angeles Kings. Scrivens had 20 saves to record his third career shutout and the Kings beat the Florida Panthers 3-0 on Sunday. Jordan Nolan had a goal and an assist. Justin Williams and Daniel Carcillo also scored goals for the Kings, who won their third straight game. Scrivens, acquired in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs in June 2013, made his first start of the season as regular goalie Jonathan Quick, one of the best in the NHL, was given a rest. Scrivens last shutout was on Feb. 18, a 3-0 victory at Florida as a member of the Maple Leafs. "You cant give enough credit to the guys in front. They played extremely well, and all I had to do was focus on stopping the puck and seeing it well," Scrivens said. Two of Scrivens three shutouts have come against the Panthers. "Ive been fortunate that its worked out here in Florida. It (stinks) that Im in the West now, Im only out here once a year," Scrivens said. Jacob Markstrom had 26 saves for Florida, which has lost four of its past five games. Nolan put the Kings ahead 3-0 at 12:28 of the third with a tip-in off a pass from Jarret Stoll. "Fortunately I was able to get the puck and shoot it on net and it went in," Nolan said. "I was able to get a quick release and catch (Markstrom) off guard." The Kings went ahead 2-0 at 14:55 of the second. The Panthers tried to get the puck out of their zone but it was intercepted by the Kings. Williams passed to Anze Kopitar near the goal line to the right of the net, then Kopitar pushed the puck back out to Williams. His wrist shot got pastt an outstretched Markstrom.dddddddddddd Kopitar has five assists in six games. Carcillos goal gave the Kings a 1-0 lead at 8:46 of the second. Mike Richards passed from behind the net to Carcillo in the bottom of the right circle. His slap shot got past Markstrom. Richards has four assists in his last four games. Kings coach Darryl Sutter was pleased with Scrivens play and his team in general. "He was sharp early. He made some big saves and handled the puck well, which is what we needed him to do. He looked very good out there," Sutter said. "Kopitar continues to be a dominant player for us." After scoring six goals in Fridays home opener against Pittsburgh, the Panthers couldnt muster much of an offence against the Kings. "Theyre a very big, strong-bodied team," Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said. "As the game wore on, we got wore down. The problem that we have is I think our hockey IQ dropped as well. We thought we could play a fancy game and you cannot play a fancy game against the Kings." The Panthers didnt think they caught a break by facing Scrivens instead of Quick. "We have no game where we can have a letdown," Panthers defenceman Brian Campbell said. "He played pretty good last year in Toronto." NOTES: Williams got his 500th NHL point with his second period goal. ... Kingsdefenceman Jake Muzzin was a healthy scratch for the third straight game. ... The Panthers faced a backup goalie in Scrivens for the second straight game. On Friday, the Panthers scored six goals against Pittsburgh rookie Jeff Zatkoff in a 6-2 win. ... Markstrom faced the Kings for the first time. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '