Kevin Love returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves is a real possibility, with the veteran big man reportedly open to a reunion with the franchise that drafted him.
The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski reported that Love is interested in returning to Minnesota and that the Timberwolves also have interest in bringing him back. “From what I understand, Kevin Love is open to coming back to Minnesota. I do think the Wolves have some interest in bringing him back as well,” Krawczynski said.
Love spent his first six NBA seasons with Minnesota after the Timberwolves selected him fifth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. He established himself as one of the league’s premier rebounders and stretch bigs during that run.
The strongest stretch of Love’s Minnesota tenure came between 2010 and 2014. He averaged 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds in 2010-11, then produced 26.0 points and 13.3 rebounds in 55 games during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.
Love followed that with 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in 2013-14, earning his second consecutive All-Star selection and All-NBA Second Team honors. Across six seasons in Minnesota, he averaged 19.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.
The 37-year-old Love played 37 games for the Utah Jazz during the 2025-26 season, averaging 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 16.6 minutes per game. He shot 39.7% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range while attempting 3.8 triples per game.
Love enters the potential reunion as a very different player from the dominant interior presence he was in Minnesota. His recent role has centered more heavily on floor spacing, rebounding and veteran experience.
Minnesota’s roster has undergone significant changes this offseason following a 49-33 regular season and a six-game loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals. The Timberwolves traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid while adding LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga in a push to build a stronger roster around Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves also re-signed Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract and added Trey Lyles in free agency. Their current core features Edwards, Ball, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Dosunmu, with Kuminga and Cody Williams also part of the revamped frontcourt.
Love’s potential return would also carry obvious historical significance. He played 364 games for Minnesota from 2008-09 through 2013-14, averaging 19.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 45.1% from the field and 36.7% from three-point range.
For his career, Love has appeared in 989 regular-season games, averaging 15.8 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting 43.7% from the field and 36.9% from three. He has also made five All-Star teams and won an NBA championship with Cleveland in 2016.
