NBA-National Basketball Association roundup

Aug 3 (The Sports Xchange) - Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that All-Star power forward Kevin Love will likely be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers by Aug. 23 or 24. "I'm saying it's most likely because Kevin has made it pretty clear that that's what he wants to do," Taylor said. The owner added that he prefers to keep Love in Minnesota. Aug. 23 is the first day Cavaliers rookie Andrew Wiggins is eligible to be traded and he is reportedly a key piece in trade proposals involving Love. Wiggins, the number one pick in the draft, was signed to a four-year deal on July 24. NBA rules stipulate that rookies must wait at least 30 days after they sign before they are eligible to be traded. Wiggins addressed the trade rumors Sunday on ESPN. "I just want to play for a team that wants me. So whichever team wants me I'll play for," he said. Wiggins said he does not take the speculation personally. "At the end of the day you have to remember that the NBA is a business before anything. I'm a rookie. I really don't have too much say," he said. - - - Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban criticized how the NBA allows its players to compete in international competition while assuming all the financial risk. Cuban's comments to ESPN.com on Saturday stem from the serious leg injury sustained by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George on Friday night during Team USA's showcase game in Las Vegas as it prepares for the FIBA World Cup. "My thoughts go out to Paul," Cuban said. "I really feel for him." Cuban was critical of the NBA's agreement with FIBA, which stipulates that only players can refuse their country's invitation to play for its national team except for a "reasonable medical concern." The San Antonio Spurs invoked that clause last week to prevent guard Manu Ginobili from representing Argentina at the World Cup later this month because of lingering effects from a stress fracture. "The (International Olympic Committee) is playing the NBA," Cuban said. "The IOC is an organization that has been rife with corruption, to the point where a member was accused of trying to fix an Olympic event in Salt Lake. The IOC (makes) billions of dollars. They make a killing and make Tony Soprano look like a saint." - - - The Toronto Raptors signed center Lucas Nogueira and guard Will Cherry. Nogueira averaged 5.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 20.3 minutes in five 2014 NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas. The 7-foot, 220-pounder was the No. 16 overall pick of the Boston Celtics in the 2013 draft. Cherry averaged 11.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 30.4 minutes in 18 regular season games (12 starts) with the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League last season. He was undrafted out of Montana in 2013. (Editing by Gene Cherry)