MINNEAPOLIS -- A reputable construction worker walks into a job interview.
"For your first project, if hired, we have a bridge we need you to build," the foreman tells him. "We have one of the 10 best cranes on the market for you to use.
"But by the time you start, it may or may not still be in our possession. And even if you do get to use it, you'll have to spend half the time making sure it stays in one piece.
"But we'd really love to have you here. Hope you'll maintain your interest either way."
The interviewee hasn't said a word, and already, he has the leverage.
So, too, does Kevin Love's tenuous future with the Timberwolves turn the employer-job seeker relationship upside-down. Hiring an NBA head coach is far from the conventional employment-establishment process, but in this case, it's president of basketball operations Flip Saunders that has to do much of the convincing.
Owner Glen Taylor and former front-office chief David Kahn's January 2012 decision to not offer Love a five-year maximum extension continues to shape the franchise's core. After next season, Love can opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent, free to sign wherever he pleases.
Reports have surfaced early this week that he will.
It's the conundrum that Saunders would inevitably face: deal Love while the return value is high (i.e. before the draft), or keep and convince. For the first time, per reports, Saunders and Taylor are considering the former as an alternative to clinging for dear life to their prized player. All season, they said their only plans are to keep Love, convince him the $26.5 million more they can offer him than any other team is worth it.
But now, Saunders will listen to offers that include a high draft pick and a proven veteran or two. He can't keep the door shut forever.
The futures of both Love, and the organization, are up in the air.
And that cloud of uncertainty will overshadow every discussion between Saunders and a potential coaching hire until it dissipates.
According the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Saunders has sat down with former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins. Former Raptors coach and Timberwolves player Sam Mitchell is a top candidate, according to Yahoo! Sports.
Stan Van Gundy was considered a prime target, but he's been snatched up by the Detroit Pistons. Rumors surrounding college coaches Fred Hoiberg, Tom Izzo and Billy Donovan have cooled -- Saunders has said he's not hiring Hoiberg, and Izzo claims he's staying put.
But whoever winds up taking over for retired Rick Adelman had better be up for a vigorous challenge.
And sometimes, the most difficult obstacles are the ones that don't come into clear view right away.
If Love is traded this summer, the Timberwolves won't glean a player of his stature -- not one that averages 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists in a season or plays in multiple All-Star Games and helps Team USA to Olympic gold. Trading Love represents another reset movement for a team that hasn't been to the playoffs since it dealt its last superstar power forward, Kevin Garnett.
If Saunders and Taylor stick to their guns and decide to go Blazers on Love a la LaMarcus Aldridge, Coach Question Mark's top priorities include developing a good enough rapport with Love that he considers sticking around. Any hire also would spend his entire first season with the club answering questions about Love's future -- something even the most outgoing and media-friendly of coaches wouldn't find desirable.
More will be known after Tuesday night's NBA Draft Lottery. If the Timberwolves defy overwhelming odds for the first time in club history and move into the draft's top three slots, perhaps that's another bartering item for Love's continued services.
But don't count on it. Minnesota has six chances out of 1,000 to receive the top overall pick and a 2.18 percent chance of moving into the top three.
In all likelihood, the Timberwolves will be drafting 13th. But the top of the draft order could shape the trade landscape. If a suitable partner -- and Love destination to which he'll commit long-term -- rises into the top three, perhaps a deal gets done sooner rather than later.
If. Then. Maybe. Perhaps.
Coaching is an uncertain profession. But until some of the Love mess is sorted out, Saunders has quite a difficult sales job on his hands.
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