Rand: Add up the clues, and you'll see Love as a Cavalier

The long-discussed trade of Wolves star Kevin Love to the Cavaliers for No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins, last year's No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett and other assets is not official. It can't be made official until Aug. 23 — which is 30 days after Wiggins signed his rookie contract, per NBA rules. But when you add up all the clues, it leads to a near-certainty that, pending something stupid happening, this will go down in a few weeks. To refresh your memory, here are those clues:

Clue No. 1: On July 2, it becomes public that Love has pulled out of the celebrity softball game in conjunction with the All-Star Game at Target Field.

What it might mean: Love, knowing he will be traded, doesn't want the public backlash from Minnesota fans.

What it makes us believe: That a Love trade was increasingly becoming an inevitability.

Clue No. 2: On July 11, LeBron James announces his return to Cleveland in a letter on SI.com. In it, he mentions several Cavs players by name — but not Wiggins or Bennett.

What it might mean: LeBron, knowing both players were on the way out, didn't want to make it seem like they would be teammates for long.

What it makes us believe: That a trade involving Wiggins and Bennett was increasingly becoming an inevitability.

What it might mean: Love, not wanting to risk an injury that would derail a trade — look what happened to Paul George — played it safe.

What it makes us believe: That a Love trade to was increasingly becoming an inevitability.

Clue No. 4: On Thursday, ESPN reported the Cavs were the only team the Wolves were dealing with in a trade scenario for Love.

What it might mean: Things were moving along and we could finally stop talking about Golden State's lame offer.

What it makes us believe: That a Love trade to Cleveland for Wiggins and Bennett was increasingly becoming an inevitability.

What it might mean: The NBA, not wanting fans to be stuck with jerseys for a guy who wasn't going to be on a team for long, saved them the trouble.

What it makes us believe: That a Love trade to Cleveland for Wiggins and Bennett was increasingly becoming an inevitability.

Clue No. 6: On Sunday, Wiggins gave an awkward ESPN interview in which he said, "I just want to play for a team that wants me," while the Pioneer Press' Charley Walters quoted Wolves owner Glen Taylor as saying a Love trade was "likely."

What it might mean: Both sides were stating the obvious without fully saying it.