LOS ANGELES — With the clock ticking down until Wednesday's deadline, Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman weighed in before Friday's game against the Clippers at Staples Center on All-Star forward Kevin Love's quest for a rich contract extension.
Believe it or not, he's all for getting it done.
"From a coaching standpoint, it's really important," he said. "He's crucial to us. I'm hoping that something is going to happen for his sake. He came out with a great start this season and, hopefully, they're going to come to some resolution. I don't know what would happen if it didn't come to fruition. That's something that we'd have to deal with at that time."
If Wednesday's deadline passes and Love isn't signed to a four- or five-year deal expected to be worth $15 million a year or more, the issue will hang over the franchise until next summer, when he will become a restricted free agent able to negotiate with any NBA team. The Wolves would have the right to match any offer, however.
"I'm hoping that between Glen and David and Kevin and his agent, they come to some resolution," Adelman said, referring to team owner Glen Taylor and president of basketball operations David Kahn. "It certainly would help him, which would help us."
When Adelman accepted the job last September, he did so with the assumption -- or perhaps understanding -- that he would be coaching Love for the duration of his four-year contract.
Barea out again Guard J.J. Barea did not accompany the team on this quick two-game trip to Los Angeles and Utah because he felt discomfort in his healing sprained ankle after playing 14 minutes Wednesday against Detroit. Adelman still started point guards Ricky Rubio and Luke Ridnour together and again brought Wayne Ellington off the bench when either of them needed rest.
"We thought it'd be best to rest him right now," Adelman said about giving Barea the weekend off.
