"When the Minnesota Timberwolves open their abbreviated 2011-12 season soon after Christmas, they'll unveil an abbreviated franchise player.

After an extended offseason of honing his body, Kevin Love will no longer qualify for the "beefy" category.

Minnesota's 6-9 power forward will enter training camp on Dec. 9 weighing in at 240 pounds, down about 25 from his playing weight at the end of last season.

"Haven't been this low since my freshman year in high school," quips Love, 23, the former Lake Oswego High standout."