Love #5: P. 88, Bulls 'moving on' from Love

[Ice Man]

And I just find it interesting that no one believes Mirotic is capable of even back up minutes at this point.

He's making almost $6 million, and excelled at the highest level that exists outside the NBA. He damn well had better be capable of good back-up minutes. He should be challenging to start.

[Concept Coop]

If Love isn't signing, how the hell can Cleveland justify trading Wiggins for him?

[singal3]

If Love isn't signing, how the hell can Cleveland justify trading Wiggins for him?

Given the city's history I'd be pretty damn nervous if he was a FA at the end of they year. LA would loom very large.

[cubd8]

Not sure if this has been posted yet...

Sources close to Love have said they were urging people to dial back the “Cleveland or else” message and that while Love seems open to all three of the situations being seriously considered – Cleveland, Golden State and Chicago, he is not willing to commit long-term to any of them as a first action. The ideal action is to hit free agency in July and ink a new long-term deal. The team that trades for him can give him the biggest financial package since they will have his Bird rights. Basketball Insiders

Speaks to what Windhorst has been saying and another guy (can't remember his name) were saying a few days ago. Hard to imagine the Bulls being serious about acquiring Love without a guarantee of an extension. Cleveland doesn't care because they have to do what Lebron wants.

I think this is probably going to be a major stumbling block if Love holds to this. Is Cleveland going to trade the #1 pick in the draft for a guy who won't commit long-term? Is Chicago going to trade 2 or 3 pieces for a guy who won't commit long-term? Possibly on both accounts, either team may believe they can convince him to stay, etc. but I can understand why that would scare teams away, and, even with teams involved, send lesser offers to Minnesota as a result.

[cubd8]

If Love isn't signing, how the hell can Cleveland justify trading Wiggins for him?

They can probably argue that winning a championship is what matters, and a team with Kevin Love is in a better position to do so.

[Jayme96]

I think that Love would resign with those teams, although the Dwight Howard situation makes you pretty leery of it. For the Bulls it is risky because without a healthy Rose, the Bulls aren't that great. It is also risky because Love doesn't exactly play defense the greatest, and Thibs is a hard ass for defense, so it's possible they wouldn't coexist very well. It would really suck to give up McDermott and MIrotic for a 1 year rental of Love. It would be nice to keep them both and give up Gasol and Gibson instead, along with Snell and picks (which I don't put much stock in since I assume they'd be late if the Bulls stay healthy). I'd prefer to keep the young guys, so if Love does bolt, we aren't out much long-term....just a couple old dudes and we'd still have McDermott and Mirotic to build around for the foreseeable future. Yes I know you can't trade Gasol until December.

[cubd8]

So is the mystery player that Ralph is referring to?

Ralph has reported that Chicago has positioned itself to be the 3rd team in these talks, essentially acquiring Waiters, Thompson and Martin for Gibson (and possibly Dunleavy?). He has hinted at a different player being involved than I mentioned, but not sure who he is referring to. I believe other reports may have contradicted Ralph's in that Chicago has some offer (although who is involved other than Gibson has been at question) for Love on the table.

Ralph has a lot of credibility, but I sure hope Chicago is looking to bring in Love first, followed by a 2nd plan that further adds to their depth and addresses some of their wing positions.

At this point, though, it sure seems hard to trump an offer for Wiggins.

[cubd8]

I think that Love would resign with those teams, although the Dwight Howard situation makes you pretty leery of it. For the Bulls it is risky because without a healthy Rose, the Bulls aren't that great. It is also risky because Love doesn't exactly play defense the greatest, and Thibs is a hard ass for defense, so it's possible they wouldn't coexist very well. It would really suck to give up McDermott and MIrotic for a 1 year rental of Love. It would be nice to keep them both and give up Gasol and Gibson instead, along with Snell and picks (which I don't put much stock in since I assume they'd be late if the Bulls stay healthy). I'd prefer to keep the young guys, so if Love does bolt, we aren't out much long-term....just a couple old dudes and we'd still have McDermott and Mirotic to build around for the foreseeable future. Yes I know you can't trade Gasol until December.

I think it's a good guess that Love would sign long-term with Cleveland or Chicago, but the risk of trading for somebody who won't commit does set yourself potentially for a huge fall. What happens if Chicago trades McDermott, Mirotic and Gibson for Love, but the season doesn't go as expected? Does Love re-consider his options if he feels there's a better chance to win elsewhere and still get a max deal from another team (even if Chicago can pay the most)?

[singal3]

I think that Love would resign with those teams, although the Dwight Howard situation makes you pretty leery of it. For the Bulls it is risky because without a healthy Rose, the Bulls aren't that great. It is also risky because Love doesn't exactly play defense the greatest, and Thibs is a hard ass for defense, so it's possible they wouldn't coexist very well. It would really suck to give up McDermott and MIrotic for a 1 year rental of Love. It would be nice to keep them both and give up Gasol and Gibson instead, along with Snell and picks (which I don't put much stock in since I assume they'd be late if the Bulls stay healthy). I'd prefer to keep the young guys, so if Love does bolt, we aren't out much long-term....just a couple old dudes and we'd still have McDermott and Mirotic to build around for the foreseeable future. Yes I know you can't trade Gasol until December.

I think it's a good guess that Love would sign long-term with Cleveland or Chicago, but the risk of trading for somebody who won't commit does set yourself potentially for a huge fall. What happens if Chicago trades McDermott, Mirotic and Gibson for Love, but the season doesn't go as expected? Does Love re-consider his options if he feels there's a better chance to win elsewhere and still get a max deal from another team (even if Chicago can pay the most)?

I wouldn't be too confident about Love re-signing in Cleveland. What if he doesn't like being Lebron's Chris Bosh?

[Indomitable]

Gasol didn't leave LA and the promise of more riches to sit on a bench for Taj friggin Gibson.

Does Thibs care what he left for? He's here now and will abide by the rules of Mr. T. You think Carlos Boozer left Utah and All Star appearances to sit on the bench behind Taj Gibson? No he did not, but he did anyway.

He's just a much better player than Taj Gibson.

No he is not a much better player.

[Indomitable]

Not sure if this has been posted yet...

Sources close to Love have said they were urging people to dial back the “Cleveland or else” message and that while Love seems open to all three of the situations being seriously considered – Cleveland, Golden State and Chicago, he is not willing to commit long-term to any of them as a first action. The ideal action is to hit free agency in July and ink a new long-term deal. The team that trades for him can give him the biggest financial package since they will have his Bird rights. Basketball Insiders

So you get bent over twice. Love enjoy losing in Minnie this year

[panthermark]

I'm sure this is a huge hold up in all of the talks.

No committment?

No Klay
No Wiggins
No McD/Mirotic

I can understand it from the side of all 4 teams involved.

If I'm Minny, I'm not moving him for 3 cents on the dollar. I might as well keep him and see how the season goes.

If I'm one of the other teams, I'm not giving up major, major assets for a possible 1 year rental.

Love is being a bit of a d-bag here. If you are going to force your way out, be willing to commit to a new team. It sounds like what he wants is out of Minny, but only to certain teams, and he still wants the ability to be a free agent at the end of the season. I don't know if he wants it for max money, but with LA (and even NY) having tons of cap room....I would not trade major assets without that committment.

[Jayme96]

I'm sure this is a huge hold up in all of the talks.

No committment?

No Klay
No Wiggins
No McD/Mirotic

I can understand it from the side of all 4 teams involved.

If I'm Minny, I'm not moving him for 3 cents on the dollar. I might as well keep him and see how the season goes.

If I'm one of the other teams, I'm not giving up major, major assets for a possible 1 year rental.

Love is being a bit of a d-bag here. If you are going to force your way out, be willing to commit to a new team. It sounds like what he wants is out of Minny, but only to certain teams, and he still wants the ability to be a free agent at the end of the season. I don't know if he wants it for max money, but with LA (and even NY) having tons of cap room....I would not trade major assets without that committment.

Exactly how I see it too. He might end up seeing himself in Minnesota this season at this rate. If I'm the Wolves, I hold onto him and hope that with Saunders as the coach now, and a pretty talented roster anyway if they stay healthy, the season will be a success and Love will be convinced to stay with the Wolves, especially considering they can give him a lot more money than anyone else can. That is, of course, if teams can't get a commitment from him and the offers for him are garbage. If you get the offer of McDermott, Mirotic and Gibson, I'd have to do that trade. A guaranteed option of those 3, versus the longshot of Love staying, it's kind of a no brainer. I did read that Mirotic was assured he wouldn't be traded by Chicago when he signed the contract, so I question if he'd be part of the trade deal anyway though.

[blumeany]

Not sure if this has been posted yet...

Sources close to Love have said they were urging people to dial back the “Cleveland or else” message and that while Love seems open to all three of the situations being seriously considered – Cleveland, Golden State and Chicago, he is not willing to commit long-term to any of them as a first action. The ideal action is to hit free agency in July and ink a new long-term deal. The team that trades for him can give him the biggest financial package since they will have his Bird rights. Basketball Insiders

Putting on my conspiracy cap, I could see this being more of a ploy by Love's camp to push Minny into making a deal and not dragging their feet. They are basically devaluing him a smidge so that Minny can't justify its grandiose demands if Love doesn't commit to an extension.

[Chicago-Bull-E]

Not sure if this has been posted yet...

Sources close to Love have said they were urging people to dial back the “Cleveland or else” message and that while Love seems open to all three of the situations being seriously considered – Cleveland, Golden State and Chicago, he is not willing to commit long-term to any of them as a first action. The ideal action is to hit free agency in July and ink a new long-term deal. The team that trades for him can give him the biggest financial package since they will have his Bird rights. Basketball Insiders

Putting on my conspiracy cap, I could see this being more of a ploy by Love's camp to push Minny into making a deal and not dragging their feet. They are basically devaluing him a smidge so that Minny can't justify its grandiose demands if Love doesn't commit to an extension.

I find that extremely hard to believe.

Windhorst said on ESPN radio last week that he strongly doubts Love will sign with a team if traded. Financially, it makes no sense.

[panthermark]

I wouldn't be too confident about Love re-signing in Cleveland. What if he doesn't like being Lebron's Chris Bosh?

If I were Cleveland, I'd be more worried him waking up one morning, looking out his window and seeing a bunch of snow covered, abandoned factories....then saying "holy ball sacks, what the F and I doing in Cleveland"!?!?!?

[panthermark]

I find that extremely hard to believe.

Windhorst said on ESPN radio last week that he strongly doubts Love will sign with a team if traded. Financially, it makes no sense.

I can understand that from Love's POV, but it also makes him a severe D-bag.

If it is straight up about the money, you don't force your way out a year early.
Then again, it was also Minny's fault on his last contract.....

[Hokie]

I have absolutely no interest in trading for Love if he isn't willing to sign long-term. I'm not parting with Taj, Mirotic, and McDermott just to watch Love leave after next season if Rose gets hurt again or he feels the need to go back home to L.A.

No team should trade for him without a long-term commitment. If he refuses to sign long-term with anyone, I hope he rots in Minnesota next season... or foolishly gets traded for Wiggins then walks after one season.

[Chicago-Bull-E]

I find that extremely hard to believe.

Windhorst said on ESPN radio last week that he strongly doubts Love will sign with a team if traded. Financially, it makes no sense.

I can understand that from Love's POV, but it also makes him a severe D-bag.

If it is straight up about the money, you don't force your way out a year early.
Then again, it was also Minny's fault on his last contract.....

It would make him a bit of a d bag. My uneducated guess is, he probably is a bit of a d bag.

[blumeany]

Not sure if this has been posted yet...

Putting on my conspiracy cap, I could see this being more of a ploy by Love's camp to push Minny into making a deal and not dragging their feet. They are basically devaluing him a smidge so that Minny can't justify its grandiose demands if Love doesn't commit to an extension.

I find that extremely hard to believe.

Windhorst said on ESPN radio last week that he strongly doubts Love will sign with a team if traded. Financially, it makes no sense.

I would have to think that neither Cleveland or Chicago would pull the trigger if they didn't at least have a verbal committment that Love would re-sign with them when he hits free agency for the max. It's pretty simple. The team that trades for him can give him the most money and he'd either want to sign with this team or not.