Love peers into the future

Kevin Love had some extra time after Monday's Timberwolves practice. His sore groin muscle kept him out of the workout, and he wasn't flying with the team to New Jersey for Tuesday's game, so Love had plenty of time to answer questions.

And, in what essentially became a "state of Kevin Love" session, he answered questions about his future in Minnesota and what he thinks the organization needs to do to improve.

But first things first. Both Love and center Darko Milicic (ankle) missed practice and didn't make the trip. Love said he hoped to return to play before the season ended, but it probably won't be in Wednesday's home game against Phoenix. Love is shooting for the two-game road trip that starts Saturday in Denver, but even that isn't a certainty.

"I have every intention of playing, if I can," he said.

Perhaps that's why Love was looking ahead to the offseason -- which could include a work stoppage -- rather than the handful of remaining games. Here's what he had to say on a few issues:

• On what the team needs to improve: "We need to get older. We need to draft well. You never know what's going to happen with a lockout, but we need to sign some veteran guys who have been there, done that. I've said that all season long, and I'll say that in my exit interview with [coach] Kurt Rambis and [president of basketball operations] David Kahn."

Love said he wanted to see roster improvement, but not another complete roster overhaul, saying he thought there was a nucleus here to build upon.

Clearly, getting Ricky Rubio to come to the NBA from Spain would accomplish that. Love praised Rubio's pass-first game, said he talked with Rubio at the World Championships last summer and has kept in contact since.

• On whether Rubio's addition -- or if he decided to stay in Europe -- would influence Love's long-term intention to stay in Minnesota (his contract expires after next season):

"It would definitely be a factor," Love said. "There is so much hype surrounding him, worst-case scenario is he'll attract a ton of fans. That would bring a lot of hype surrounding the team and would make us want to get better. I do believe he'd help the team."

• On if he wants to stay in Minnesota long-term: "If it all works out and it's all right, I think I definitely could. I enjoy the city, I like the people here, I like the organization. I like a lot of things about it besides the cold winter. ... I could definitely see myself here."

But Love also said he would be sure to gauge interest elsewhere before making a decision. Under current rules, the Wolves would have the right to match if Love signed an offer sheet with another team in 2012.

• On Rambis' future: Love said he supported Rambis, but agreed with teammate Anthony Tolliver, who recently said he wasn't sure all the players had bought into Rambis' system.

"I think Anthony is right in saying that," Love said. "If Kurt is going to be here, we all have to buy into his system and that will help us tremendously as an organization."