NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Expected to Make a Push for Kevin Love, But Timberwolves Resisting

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a strong push to acquire Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love this summer in hopes of becoming a title contender again next season, ESPN reported.

The Lakers, who are on the verge of finishing with the worst record in franchise history, are reportedly planning to include their high lottery pick in a trade package for Love, who will be playing in the final year of his contract next season.

"The suggestion is already in circulation that the Lakers will attempt to use their forthcoming high lottery pick in June to assemble the sort of trade package that finally convinces the Wolves to part with Love and end the uncertainty that hangs over this franchise even before the 25-year-old enters the final year of his contract," ESPN noted.

However, despite the uncertainty about Love's future in Minnesota, the Timberwolves are reportedly resisting trade offers for the All-Star forward.

Sources indicated that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is optimistic that Love will eventually decide to stay in Minnesota, citing Flip Saunders' relationship with the former UCLA standout and the Timberwolves' ability to offer $30 million more than what other teams can put on the table when Love becomes a free agent.

But if Love forces his way out of Minnesota, Taylor will reportedly give into his demand, sources indicated.

"You continue to hear that Wolves owner Glen Taylor remains determined to try to convince Love to stick around and will keep resisting trade offers until, as one insider puts it, he has no choice," ESPN noted.

Love will become a free agent in the summer of 2015, and most executives are convinced that the six-year veteran will bolt out of Minnesota after not making the playoffs since being drafted in 2008.

Minnesota point guard Ricky Rubio is confident, though, that Love, who is averaging 26.3 and 12.6 rebounds per game this season, will re-sign with the Timberwolves.

"For us he is a very important player, he's having a spectacular season and not have to think much beyond the next year. I think it will be here, because he has been given everything and it is hard to leave when you get so many facilities. The best way to show that we want even more is winning and fighting to the end to get into the playoffs," said Rubio, FanSided reported.