The Kevin Love Thread: Update PG. 67, 78

[PMONSTER]

All the more reason for us to get Melo first, hopefully in a S&T that allows us to keep Taj and Mirotic. As someone said, Minn probably will drag this out until the trade deadline. At that point, if everything works out, Love would want to join the Bulls and force a trade here in return for Taj, Mirotic and a couple of picks.

I think we need to be realistic here.

Going from possibly having no superstar on this roster (Rose included), to now having 2 within 2 months is a massive ask.

We shouldn't be set right now in May on which one we're pursuing in terms of definites. We need to be asking the questions through side channels, namely our players speaking to the options, and letting the FO speaking to both players and teams management.

You don't pick and choose which one you're going after now first, you let it play out a little.

However, you go hard for one. If every team is going hard for Love, namely CHI & HOU, both of whom are in the Melo sweepstakes, that market will be on hold until the Love news is settled, or vice versa.

Did you just call Melo and Love superstars and omit Rose?

I understand why Rose would be omitted (injuries) but all of a sudden Love and Melo are? Ok....

[Polynice4Pippen]

Rose
????
Butler
Love
Noah

or

Rose
Butler
Melo
Mirotic
Noah


???

The second team is nasty. 3 very strong defenders, 2 stud shot creators, Mirotic to stretch the floor and get open looks. That team can attack an elite defense in many different ways and still be a top 3-5 defensive team in the league.

[bad knees]

Right now GarPax have to figure out a way to leap frog GSW or whomever to convince Love to demand a trade here. Yeah Melo talk is good and all but we have Love about to enter his prime wanting to come here, thats all I need to hear. You have to be aggressive and get this done asap and not let it linger. DRose should also be talking to his buddy right about now as well.

Lot of leverage if he is convinced Chicago is where he wants to go, no need to worry about the whole FA parade that will come later with Melo. Hard call but thats what I do.

Melo will be decided first, as he is going to become an FA in July. Minn will wait until Melo is resolved to start entertaining offers, and may wait until the trade deadline. Since Melo is first, the Bulls should focus on getting him first. Then worry about possibly adding Love. One thing - adding Melo would greatly increase Love's interest in coming here.

[dumbell78]

Right now GarPax have to figure out a way to leap frog GSW or whomever to convince Love to demand a trade here. Yeah Melo talk is good and all but we have Love about to enter his prime wanting to come here, thats all I need to hear. You have to be aggressive and get this done asap and not let it linger. DRose should also be talking to his buddy right about now as well.

Lot of leverage if he is convinced Chicago is where he wants to go, no need to worry about the whole FA parade that will come later with Melo. Hard call but thats what I do.

Melo will be decided first, as he is going to become an FA in July. Minn will wait until Melo is resolved to start entertaining offers, and may wait until the trade deadline. Since Melo is first, the Bulls should focus on getting him first. Then worry about possibly adding Love. One thing - adding Melo would greatly increase Love's interest in coming here.

If that where the case I agree but I dont think Minny is waiting on this. Every day that goes by is loss of leverage and by AS break (trade deadline) they will have almost no leverage. Love coming out via sources saying he wants out means Minny needs to move asap. That means before draft night most likely.

[jsully84]

The Boston Celtics have emerged as an increasingly intriguing destination for Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Love, and the Celtics' draft position coming out of Tuesday night's lottery could be telltale in determining the feasibility of a trade, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

If the lottery percentages hold to form, Boston would draft in the No. 5 slot, which could hold appeal to Minnesota in this talent-rich draft. If Boston moves up and cracks one of the top three spots, general manager Danny Ainge would have a more difficult decision to make on using the pick in a deal for Love.

Love's representatives with Excel Sports are pushing Timberwolves president Flip Saunders to find a trade acceptable to them before the beginning of summer free agency in July – preferably by the June 26 NBA draft, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Love plans to opt out of his contract in the summer of 2015 and leave Minnesota as a free agent, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Love, 25, wants a chance to play for an immediate contender, but has an open mind about multiple destinations in the league, sources said. In six NBA seasons, Love has yet to reach the playoffs in Minnesota.
The Houston Rockets also plan to make a run at a trade for Love, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Officials believe Love's close relationship and respect for coach Kevin McHale could give the Rockets an edge. Golden State, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago are among those also planning to pursue Love deals with an eye on signing him to a long-term extension.

Love has no veto power over a trade, but it is unlikely any team will unload significant assets for him without an assurance he'll re-sign a max contract.

Houston doesn't have the draft picks to offer Minnesota, but does have appealing young players in Chandler Parsons and Omer Asik to include in packages. McHale acquired Love for the T'wolves with a draft-night trade and coached him. Beyond McHale, Houston could offer Love an immediate chance to be part of a contender.

Still, Boston is the sleeper gathering momentum in a process that is still beginning to unfold. The three top prospects in the draft – Kansas' Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins and Duke's Jabari Parker – could become franchise cornerstone players in the NBA. Nevertheless, Boston has multiple picks to offer in the next several years as part of a total package for Love, as well as the salary-cap space to perhaps take back an unwanted contract from Minnesota.

Love's agent Jeff Schwartz and Ainge have a strong relationship and a good working history. Ainge helped another Schwartz client, Paul Pierce, get to a preferred trade destination in Brooklyn a year ago. The Celtics believe they can sell Love on becoming the next big Celtics star, and all the adulation that comes with that for a franchise that has won 17 NBA championships.

Love averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds for Minnesota this season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/celtics-loom-as-intriguing-destination-for-kevin-love-211238504.html
Here's to Boston, along with the Lakers, not getting a Top 3 pick in the lottery.

[Red Larrivee]

Even if Boston doesn't get a Top 3 pick, they could still have a Top 5 pick along with:

Brooklyn's 2014 1st
Philadelphia's 2015 1st
Clippers 2015 1st
Brooklyn's 2016 1st
Brooklyn's 2017 1st (right to swap)
Brooklyn's 2018 1st

+ all of their own draft picks.

If Love actually wants to go to Boston to play with Rondo, then they have the most assets to get a deal done. Brooklyn's future is going to suck going forward. Boston is loaded with draft picks right now.

[Susan]

Rose
????
Butler
Love
Noah

or

Rose
Butler
Melo
Mirotic
Noah


???

The second team is nasty. 3 very strong defenders, 2 stud shot creators, Mirotic to stretch the floor and get open looks. That team can attack an elite defense in many different ways and still be a top 3-5 defensive team in the league.

That first lineup will look a lot nicer if you list the ages of Melo & Love. Having Love for the next 7 years of his prime vs Melo and his 2 remaining years. If this FO has proven anything, they have shown the ability to find talented guards on crazy cheap deals.

There are only 5 players to average over 10 boards & 4 assists a game since 2000. Kevin Love, Joakim Noah, KG, Brad Miller & C-Webb. We'd have one of the best front courts of all time. There's not a single thing that they're not elite at.

[TheStig]

Even if Boston doesn't get a Top 3 pick, they could still have a Top 5 pick along with:

Brooklyn's 2014 1st
Philadelphia's 2015 1st
Clippers 2015 1st
Brooklyn's 2016 1st
Brooklyn's 2017 1st (right to swap)
Brooklyn's 2018 1st

+ all of their own draft picks.

If Love actually wants to go to Boston to play with Rondo, then they have the most assets to get a deal done. Brooklyn's future is going to suck going forward. Boston is loaded with draft picks right now.

Man if Brooklyn falls apart in the next couple of years, they could be looking at 3 top 10 picks.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Rose
????
Butler
Love
Noah

or

Rose
Butler
Melo
Mirotic
Noah


???

The second team is nasty. 3 very strong defenders, 2 stud shot creators, Mirotic to stretch the floor and get open looks. That team can attack an elite defense in many different ways and still be a top 3-5 defensive team in the league.

That first lineup will look a lot nicer if you list the ages of Melo & Love. Having Love for the next 7 years of his prime vs Melo and his 2 remaining years. If this FO has proven anything, they have shown the ability to find talented guards on crazy cheap deals.

There are only 5 players to average over 10 boards & 4 assists a game since 2000. Kevin Love, Joakim Noah, KG, Brad Miller & C-Webb. We'd have one of the best front courts of all time. There's not a single thing that they're not elite at.

I'd still go with Melo over Love. Melo can score on elite defense, draw double teams. Love is more of an opportunistic scorer who needs to be set up or crash the offensive boards. I'd take Love in a heartbeat, but only after Melo was a no go. Love's younger, but Melo's better and gives us more of what we need. Individual shot creation.

[Payt10]

Jesus, I never realized how many 1st round picks Brooklyn gave Boston for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. That might go down as the worst trade of all time.

Who in their right minds gives up that many picks for two over the hill players?

Also, where did Boston get Philly's 1st round pick from?

[bad knees]

The Boston Celtics have emerged as an increasingly intriguing destination for Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Love, and the Celtics' draft position coming out of Tuesday night's lottery could be telltale in determining the feasibility of a trade, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

If the lottery percentages hold to form, Boston would draft in the No. 5 slot, which could hold appeal to Minnesota in this talent-rich draft. If Boston moves up and cracks one of the top three spots, general manager Danny Ainge would have a more difficult decision to make on using the pick in a deal for Love.

Love's representatives with Excel Sports are pushing Timberwolves president Flip Saunders to find a trade acceptable to them before the beginning of summer free agency in July – preferably by the June 26 NBA draft, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Love plans to opt out of his contract in the summer of 2015 and leave Minnesota as a free agent, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Love, 25, wants a chance to play for an immediate contender, but has an open mind about multiple destinations in the league, sources said. In six NBA seasons, Love has yet to reach the playoffs in Minnesota.
The Houston Rockets also plan to make a run at a trade for Love, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Officials believe Love's close relationship and respect for coach Kevin McHale could give the Rockets an edge. Golden State, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago are among those also planning to pursue Love deals with an eye on signing him to a long-term extension.

Love has no veto power over a trade, but it is unlikely any team will unload significant assets for him without an assurance he'll re-sign a max contract.

Houston doesn't have the draft picks to offer Minnesota, but does have appealing young players in Chandler Parsons and Omer Asik to include in packages. McHale acquired Love for the T'wolves with a draft-night trade and coached him. Beyond McHale, Houston could offer Love an immediate chance to be part of a contender.

Still, Boston is the sleeper gathering momentum in a process that is still beginning to unfold. The three top prospects in the draft – Kansas' Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins and Duke's Jabari Parker – could become franchise cornerstone players in the NBA. Nevertheless, Boston has multiple picks to offer in the next several years as part of a total package for Love, as well as the salary-cap space to perhaps take back an unwanted contract from Minnesota.

Love's agent Jeff Schwartz and Ainge have a strong relationship and a good working history. Ainge helped another Schwartz client, Paul Pierce, get to a preferred trade destination in Brooklyn a year ago. The Celtics believe they can sell Love on becoming the next big Celtics star, and all the adulation that comes with that for a franchise that has won 17 NBA championships.

Love averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds for Minnesota this season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/celtics-loom-as-intriguing-destination-for-kevin-love-211238504.html
Here's to Boston, along with the Lakers, not getting a Top 3 pick in the lottery.

Love's people can push all they want, but I highly doubt that a Love trade happens before the draft. Minn will have a better market in July, and they will wait. Besides, what's the difference between June and July as far as Love is concerned?

And if Love goes to Boston, I would seriously question his ability to judge a "winning" situation. Boston is years away from contending.

[Payt10]

Besides, what's the difference between June and July as far as Love is concerned?

Draft picks to use in this year's draft. Makes more sense to do it before or during the draft instead of after. Some of these teams like the Lakers might not have another top 5 pick next year.

[bad knees]

Besides, what's the difference between June and July as far as Love is concerned?

Draft picks to use in this year's draft.

I meant from Love's perspective. Either way, he gets traded before the season starts.

[Payt10]

Besides, what's the difference between June and July as far as Love is concerned?

Draft picks to use in this year's draft.

I meant from Love's perspective. Either way, he gets traded before the season starts.

Yeah, it wouldn't matter to him since he doesn't have to worry about what Minnesota gets in return.

[WinCity]

Look for the Bulls to offer Nikola, 16 and 19 a long with any fillers for him.

Whats the strategy? Go for Love and Melo and take whichever one we can lock down first?

[JohnnyKILLroy]

Maybe it matters because he knows the sooner we get something done and have something in place then we have to turn around and get Melo.

[Payt10]

Maybe it matters because he knows the sooner we get something done and have something in place then we have to turn around and get Melo.

Imagine Love and Melo talking to each other on the phone telling each other they both need to get their asses to Chicago.

[kingkirk]

If there was ever a time for Derrick Rose to start recruiting, it's now. There's going to be a ton of competition for Love. Love forcing his way to Chicago is the only way to eliminate that competition.

Homo gets it.

This is as much about our guys convincing Love that we're in a winning situation. Let the FO handle the particulars later on, but our guys, namely Rose and Jo, need to be on the phone to Love right now and putting in their selling pitch.

Play the game, Derrick.

[WinCity]

If there was ever a time for Derrick Rose to start recruiting, it's now. There's going to be a ton of competition for Love. Love forcing his way to Chicago is the only way to eliminate that competition.

Homo gets it.

This is as much about our guys convincing Love that we're in a winning situation. Let the FO handle the particulars later on, but our guys, namely Rose and Jo, need to be on the phone to Love right now and putting in their selling pitch.

Play the game, Derrick.

What are you talking about? Our record and playoff appearances the last 4 years say all that. Besides "Hey, it would be great to play together, we could win" What profound contribution are these guys going to make exactly?

[JohnnyKILLroy]

Maybe it matters because he knows the sooner we get something done and have something in place then we have to turn around and get Melo.

Imagine Love and Melo talking to each other on the phone telling each other they both need to get their asses to Chicago.

If they're serious about winning we gotta be the logical destination....