Kevin Love hoping to stay with Timberwolves, Rambis for the long term

Love, who grew up in Portland, is questionable for Wednesday's home game against Phoenix. He said Monday that, if he doesn't make significant improvement by then, he also might sit out the final three games. Wolves coach Kurt Rambis said he would leave that up to Love and the team's medical staff.

This has been a breakout season for Love, who leads the NBA in rebounding (15.2 per game) and the team in scoring (20.2 points). The third-year forward is earning $3.6 million, will make $4.6 million next season and appears in line for a major pay raise in his next contract, here or elsewhere. But Love's decision could come down to more than just money.

At his exit interviews next week with Wolves owner Glen Taylor and President David Kahn, he said he would express his support for Rambis to return and encourage Taylor and Kahn to minimize roster changes. Meanwhile, he will continue trying

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to recruit phenom point guard Ricky Rubio of Spain to play here next season.

Love said the Wolves need to "make improvements" at guard — and that Rubio would help.

"He would have a lot to live up to, but I think he's up for the challenge and ready to play in the NBA," Love said of Minnesota's first first-round pick from the 2009 draft, who can buy out his contract after this season from Regal FC Barcelona, his Euroleague team. "There would be so much hype surrounding him. The worst-case scenario is that he would attract a ton of fans here and bring more hype to our team and will make us want to get better."

Love said he and Rubio talked several times last summer while competing in the world championships in Turkey and have exchanged text messages "every now and then" during the season. Love hopes a commitment from Rubio will help Taylor and Kahn avoid another roster overhaul. In each of the past two offseasons, the Wolves have brought in nine new players.

"Obviously, we have to add a few more guys, maybe a couple of veterans," Love said. "But as far as blowing up the team and starting all over again, that would be disheartening, not just to the players here, but to the fans, as well. We need to start seeing improvement and go with the core group of guys we have."