are currently sitting just above the relegation batt

MINNEAPOLIS - Throughout most of last season, Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders and owner Glen Taylor remained steadfast in their stance that they would not consider trading Kevin Love. They were determined instead to convince the All-Star forward that he should sign an extension to remain after next season. With the NBA draft lottery coming up this week and an increasing concern that Love will leave for another team after next year, that stance has softened, two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The Timberwolves are now open to the idea of trading Love if the right deal comes along. The people requested anonymity because the team has not made any final decisions on Loves future in Minnesota. A likely asking price would include a high first-round pick in this years draft and a solid veteran or two who would come in and contribute right away to a team that is lacking in veteran leadership. If the Wolves do not get an offer they feel is worthy of parting with the second-best player in franchise history, they are content to move forward with a plan to show Love that Minnesota is where he belongs, much the way the Portland Trail Blazers did with LaMarcus Aldridge last off-season. Love just finished the second year of a four-year deal that includes an option for him to opt-out in the summer of 2015. The contract terms were the first signs of strife for Love and the organization when former basketball boss David Kahn declined to give him the full five-year maximum deal that Love wanted. Kahn was fired in 2013 and Saunders has worked tirelessly to try to convince Love that he should stay in Minnesota where he can make about $26.5 million more than he can anywhere else. But the Wolves have not made the playoffs in 10 years, including all six of Loves seasons with the team, a lack of success that has one of the best power forwards in the game growing more and more impatient. Neither Love nor his representatives have gone so far as to ask for a trade, but as the NBA draft lottery approaches on Tuesday, the trade market figures to heat up. The Timberwolves are slotted to pick 13th in the first round. But they are holding out hope that they get lucky for the first time in franchise history in the lottery and jump up. Getting one of the top three picks in a strong draft could be an encouraging sign for Love. If that doesnt happen, the Wolves could look at making a trade if they felt it had a chance to make them better in the long run. Love has made three All-Star teams and helped Team USA win the gold medal at the London Olympics. He averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season, but the Wolves finished a disappointing 40-42 and missed the playoffs in the Western Conference. While there remains some question whether Love can be the best player on a championship-calibre team, there figures to be a long list of suitors to line up for his services via trade this summer or free agency next year. But Love would likely have to give any team that makes the Wolves an offer some kind of indication that he is open to signing an extension, much the way Chris Paul did when he was dealt from New Orleans to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011. The uncertainty surrounding Love has also complicated the Wolves pursuit of a coach to replace Rick Adelman, who retired after the season. Saunders has been in the market for a proven, experienced head coach who can come and command respect right away while also handling what most assuredly would be a difficult season filled with constant questions about Loves status. Not surprisingly, most of the names near the top of Saunders list have been reluctant to entertain the idea of taking the job without knowing what is going to happen with Love. Some luck on lottery night could also make the job more attractive for an incoming coach. In the absence of any long-shot lottery luck, the Wolves will ramp up their coaching search after their draft position solidifies on Tuesday night. Names such as Lionel Hollins, Sam Mitchell and Scott Skiles will all get consideration. And return runs at Michigan States Tom Izzo, Floridas Billy Donovan or Iowa States Fred Hoiberg arent out of the question after all three gave them a tepid response early in the process. ___ Follow Jon Krawczynski on Twitter: http://twitter.com/APKrawczynski Max Stassi Jersey . on the 15-day disabled Monday list because of a strained right hamstring. Mike Witt Angels Jersey .C. -- Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has been ruled out for Sundays game against the Atlanta Falcons. https://www.cheapangels.com/ . -- A 25-year-old freelance journalist from British Columbia was formally charged on Thursday with a felony, five days after she was arrested in the United States over allegations she threatened to kill her hockey player boyfriend. Los Angeles Angels Store .com) - Ben Lovejoy tallied a goal and an assist as the Anaheim Ducks cruised into the All-Star break with a 6-3 victory against the Calgary Flames. Hoyt Wilhelm Jersey .C. -- The Edmonton Oilers used a late-power-play goal to get a hard-fought road victory.TSN.ca presents its latest weekly power rankings for the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season. Rankings were weighted evenly between separate lists made by TSN Radio host and soccer analyst Gareth Wheeler as well as TSN.cas soccer editors. 1. Liverpool (Last Week-1) Liverpool are now five points clear at the top of the table after a spirited 3-2 victory over Norwich City. Raheem Sterling scored twice and Luis Suarez added the other for the Reds. 2. Manchester City (LW-3) Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Martín Demichelis were all on target for Manchester City, who kept their slim title hopes alive with a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion. Midfielder David Silva was stretchered off in the 67th minute for City. 3. Chelsea (LW-2) Chelseas title hopes took a major hit as they fell 2-1 to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, ending Jose Mourinhos perfect league home record. Samuel Etoo gave them the lead after 12 minutes but their fate was sealed after conceding a late penalty. 4. Arsenal (LW-4) Aaron Ramsey and a Lukas Podolski double were more than enough as Arsenal held on to fourth place with a 3-0 victory over Hull City. 5. Everton (LW-5) Everton kept their Champions League hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United in David Moyes return to Goodison Park. Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas did the damage for Everton who kept pace with Arsenal in the race for fourth place. 6. Tottenham (LW-7) Paulinho, Harry Kane and Younes Kaboul were all on target for Tottenham as they defeated Fulham 3-1 at White Hart Lane. 7. Manchester United (LW-6) David Moyes unsuccessful return to Goodison Park would spell the end of Manchester Uniteds chances to make the Champions League and his tenure as manager of the club. Moyes was fired by United after dropping his 11th league game of the season. 8. Southampton (LW-8) Despite enjoying 68% of the possession, Southampton was not able to strike the decisive blow and instead settled for a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa. 9. Stoke City (LW-9) Marko Arnautoovics first half penalty was canceled out in the second half as Stoke settled for a 1-1 draw with Cardiff City.dddddddddddd. 10. Crystal Palace (LW-10) Mile Jedinaks 59th minute penalty was the difference as Crystal Palace defeated West Ham 1-0, guaranteeing their Premier League survival. 11. Newcastle United (LW-11) Make it five straight Premier League defeats for Newcastle as they fell 2-1 at home against Swansea. Shola Ameobi gave them a lead after 23 minutes but they were not able to find another goal. 12. Swansea City (LW-14) Wilfried Bony scored in injury time of both the first and second half to lead Swansea to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle. His winning marker was from the penalty spot after a foul on teammate Marvin Emnes. 13. Hull City (LW-12) Tough day at KC Stadium as Hull was defeated 3-0 by Arsenal. The Tigers are currently sitting just above the relegation battle. 14. West Ham United (LW-13) Despite being on top of the action, West Ham could not find the net as they fell 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace. 15. Aston Villa (LW-16) After losing four straight games, Aston Villa earned a point in a 0-0 draw against Southampton. 16. West Bromwich Albion (LW-15) Graham Dorrans scored the lone goal as West Bromwich Albion fell 3-1 to Manchester City. 17. Sunderland (LW-18) A recently good run of form is developing for Sunderland as they claimed a shock road 2-1 victory over Chelsea. Connor Wickham and Fabio Borini provided the offence for the Black Cats who inched closer to getting off the bottom of the table. 18. Cardiff City (LW-19) It was a penalty for each side at Cardiff City Stadium as the Welsh side drew 1-1 with Stoke City. 19. Fulham (LW-17) Steve Sidwells 37th minute marker was all Fulham could muster as they were defeated 3-1 on the road against Tottenham. 20. Norwich City (LW-20) Norwich threw everything they had at Liverpool but in the end were forced to settle for a 3-2 defeat at Carrow Road. Gary Hooper and Robert Snodgrass scored the goals for the Canaries. ' ' '