T-Wolves lock up Love for 4 years

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- All-star forward Kevin Love said Wednesday he has come to terms with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a four-year contract extension.

"I'll be in Minnesota for 4 more years! Excited to see you when I get back to Minneapolis," Love said in a Twitter post.

The St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press, citing an unnamed source "with close knowledge of the situation," reported Love, who is in Dallas for a Wednesday game against the Mavericks, will be paid $62 million over the four years.

Love was headed toward restricted free agency if a deal had not been struck by 11 p.m. Wednesday.

"I am happy for Kevin, who deserves to have the financial security that this contract affords him," Timberwolves basketball operations President David Kahn said. "Kevin has worked extremely hard to earn this and we are thrilled that he'll be with us for many years to come."

The former No. 5 overall draft pick's career numbers include 15.8 points and 11.9 rebounds a game over three-plus seasons. He is averaging 24.9 points and 13.9 rebounds this season.