Kevin Love Free Agency/Trade Thread

[Mr. Dynomite!]

I really don't think Minnesota is gonna trade Love until after the draft. Glen Taylor even agrees with me.

[machu46]

Question from an outsider looking in:

Most T'Wolves fans seem to agree that a Love-Pekovic front court just doesn't really work, right? If Love were with a defensive C, it would be great, or if Pekovic were with a defensive PF, it would be great, but together, it just isn't really that conducive to winning, am I correct?

So then why would getting Jared Sullinger back in a trade with Boston be attractive to you guys? I understand wanting their top 6 pick, but I feel like Sullinger is just as bad a fit with Pekovic as Love while being far less talented.

As an outsider looking in, I feel like I'd rather try to pry Barnes and Thompson from Golden State, Butler, Mirotic, Gibson, and 1st round picks from Chicago, or Len and a bunch of 1st round picks from Phoenix if I were a Wolves fan.

[Klomp]

Thinking about things more, I think its more likely we see a rebuilding offer (Boston, LA) over a retooling offer (CHI, GS).

Look at the last two big names we've traded, Kevin Garnett and Al Jefferson. In both trades we went the rebuilding route to save money.

Those were from two different GMs, so that cannot be the blame either. The one constant in the equation is Glen Taylor. If he's eventually going to sell, he'd rather not add the longer contracts (Gibson, Lee) to win now because it won't make the team as enticing. We may win more games in the short-term, but it would limit the team's upside.

[Klomp]

Interesting comparison

[tweet]https://twitter.com/SherwoodStrauss/status/468497731946684417[/tweet]

[AQuintus]

I really don't think Minnesota is gonna trade Love until after the draft. Glen Taylor even agrees with me.

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Glen Taylor was saying that they won't trade Love before the draft, which makes sense. Offers will be at their highest on draft day. Not trading him until after the draft makes no sense. A high draft pick is likely the most valuable thing we can get back for Love at this point.

[Wolf_Cry]

Question from an outsider looking in:

Most T'Wolves fans seem to agree that a Love-Pekovic front court just doesn't really work, right? If Love were with a defensive C, it would be great, or if Pekovic were with a defensive PF, it would be great, but together, it just isn't really that conducive to winning, am I correct?

So then why would getting Jared Sullinger back in a trade with Boston be attractive to you guys? I understand wanting their top 6 pick, but I feel like Sullinger is just as bad a fit with Pekovic as Love while being far less talented.

As an outsider looking in, I feel like I'd rather try to pry Barnes and Thompson from Golden State, Butler, Mirotic, Gibson, and 1st round picks from Chicago, or Len and a bunch of 1st round picks from Phoenix if I were a Wolves fan.

It's more for the pick with Boston.

I really dislike the trade with GS because they don't have a high pick. Thompson is an absolute must in the trade, but Barnes is a bust and everyone knows it. They will try to make us take Lee too, who is even worst than Love defensively.

[AQuintus]

Interesting comparison

[tweet]https://twitter.com/SherwoodStrauss/status/468497731946684417[/tweet]

And Gordon was actually a significantly better player/prospect at the time he was traded than Klay Thompson is now.

[Klomp]

And Gordon was actually a significantly better player/prospect at the time he was traded than Klay Thompson is now.

Which balances out, because Paul > Love as well

[machu46]

Question from an outsider looking in:

Most T'Wolves fans seem to agree that a Love-Pekovic front court just doesn't really work, right? If Love were with a defensive C, it would be great, or if Pekovic were with a defensive PF, it would be great, but together, it just isn't really that conducive to winning, am I correct?

So then why would getting Jared Sullinger back in a trade with Boston be attractive to you guys? I understand wanting their top 6 pick, but I feel like Sullinger is just as bad a fit with Pekovic as Love while being far less talented.

As an outsider looking in, I feel like I'd rather try to pry Barnes and Thompson from Golden State, Butler, Mirotic, Gibson, and 1st round picks from Chicago, or Len and a bunch of 1st round picks from Phoenix if I were a Wolves fan.

It's more for the pick with Boston.

I really dislike the trade with GS because they don't have a high pick. Thompson is an absolute must in the trade, but Barnes is a bust and everyone knows it. They will try to make us take Lee too, who is even worst than Love defensively.

Okay, I just wanted to make sure that it's pretty much just the pick in Boston's case. Trading with Golden State IMO would depend on two things:

1. Minnesota's opinion on Barnes. Some believe he still has a lot of untapped potential, while others like you believe he's a bust. He could be a valuable asset in some GM's eyes.

2. Whether or not GS could find a third team that would be willing to take on David Lee's contract if that's a sticking point for Minnesota.

[AQuintus]

And Gordon was actually a significantly better player/prospect at the time he was traded than Klay Thompson is now.

Which balances out, because Paul > Love as well

Sure, but it's closer than Gordon at the time and Thompson now.

[Maefteda]

Question from an outsider looking in:

Most T'Wolves fans seem to agree that a Love-Pekovic front court just doesn't really work, right? If Love were with a defensive C, it would be great, or if Pekovic were with a defensive PF, it would be great, but together, it just isn't really that conducive to winning, am I correct?

So then why would getting Jared Sullinger back in a trade with Boston be attractive to you guys? I understand wanting their top 6 pick, but I feel like Sullinger is just as bad a fit with Pekovic as Love while being far less talented.

As an outsider looking in, I feel like I'd rather try to pry Barnes and Thompson from Golden State, Butler, Mirotic, Gibson, and 1st round picks from Chicago, or Len and a bunch of 1st round picks from Phoenix if I were a Wolves fan.

Along with Sullinger we'd get the 5/6th pick in draft. Sullinger might not fit with Pekovic, but he should be really good with our other center Gorgui Dieng. If we then use, say the 6th pick on a more defensive PF in Gordon, we could try to have Gordon/Pekovic and Sullinger/Dieng on the floor as much as possible.

David Lee is an even worse fit next to Pek and costs a hell of a lot more if we'd go the GS route. Sure, he might be better than Sullinger, but not enough to move the needle, and with Lee reaching his 30's, there's not much for the future there.

I like what Bulls have to offer in terms of a retool package. Gibson slots right in there for us next to Pek and Mirotic could fit nicely with either his Montenegrin partner Pek or Dieng. It would certainly make us a good team for next year, but maybe not good enough for the playoffs, but just good enough to lose our top 12 protected pick to the Suns. With the #16 and #19 instead of Butler, we'd have a good future regardless.

[machu46]

Question from an outsider looking in:

Most T'Wolves fans seem to agree that a Love-Pekovic front court just doesn't really work, right? If Love were with a defensive C, it would be great, or if Pekovic were with a defensive PF, it would be great, but together, it just isn't really that conducive to winning, am I correct?

So then why would getting Jared Sullinger back in a trade with Boston be attractive to you guys? I understand wanting their top 6 pick, but I feel like Sullinger is just as bad a fit with Pekovic as Love while being far less talented.

As an outsider looking in, I feel like I'd rather try to pry Barnes and Thompson from Golden State, Butler, Mirotic, Gibson, and 1st round picks from Chicago, or Len and a bunch of 1st round picks from Phoenix if I were a Wolves fan.

Along with Sullinger we'd get the 5/6th pick in draft. Sullinger might not fit with Pekovic, but he should be really good with our other center Gorgui Dieng. If we then use, say the 6th pick on a more defensive PF in Gordon, we could try to have Gordon/Pekovic and Sullinger/Dieng on the floor as much as possible.

David Lee is an even worse fit next to Pek and costs a hell of a lot more if we'd go the GS route. Sure, he might be better than Sullinger, but not enough to move the needle, and with Lee reaching his 30's, there's not much for the future there.

I like what Bulls have to offer in terms of a retool package. Gibson slots right in there for us next to Pek and Mirotic could fit nicely with either his Montenegrin partner Pek or Dieng. It would certainly make us a good team for next year, but maybe not good enough for the playoffs, but just good enough to lose our top 12 protected pick to the Suns.

Alright, thanks. It makes a lot of sense when you put it that way. Like I said in response to the other guy, I think it would have to depend on whether or not a 3rd team could be found that would be willing to take on David Lee's contract in order to make that trade appealing. I suppose also that Minnesota could flip Sullinger at some point as well, or even have him go to a third team and get a young asset that is a better fit in return.

[Wolf_Cry]

Question from an outsider looking in:

Most T'Wolves fans seem to agree that a Love-Pekovic front court just doesn't really work, right? If Love were with a defensive C, it would be great, or if Pekovic were with a defensive PF, it would be great, but together, it just isn't really that conducive to winning, am I correct?

So then why would getting Jared Sullinger back in a trade with Boston be attractive to you guys? I understand wanting their top 6 pick, but I feel like Sullinger is just as bad a fit with Pekovic as Love while being far less talented.

As an outsider looking in, I feel like I'd rather try to pry Barnes and Thompson from Golden State, Butler, Mirotic, Gibson, and 1st round picks from Chicago, or Len and a bunch of 1st round picks from Phoenix if I were a Wolves fan.

It's more for the pick with Boston.

I really dislike the trade with GS because they don't have a high pick. Thompson is an absolute must in the trade, but Barnes is a bust and everyone knows it. They will try to make us take Lee too, who is even worst than Love defensively.

Okay, I just wanted to make sure that it's pretty much just the pick in Boston's case. Trading with Golden State IMO would depend on two things:

1. Minnesota's opinion on Barnes. Some believe he still has a lot of untapped potential, while others like you believe he's a bust. He could be a valuable asset in some GM's eyes.

2. Whether or not GS could find a third team that would be willing to take on David Lee's contract if that's a sticking point for Minnesota.

Exactly. As for Barnes, no need to convince me. Shouldn't have to convince anyone actually. The kid is a bust as Derrick Williams was a bust. Very athletic, but lacks BBIQ, handles, laterall quickness, and is just a decent shooter. There is no potential left to tap. That isn't to say he will be a terrible player, but Barnes will never be more than a rotational wing player.

[Biff Cooper]

Did Love and Hoiberg have any overlap in Minnesota? If so, anyone know if they have a positive relationship?

They didn't overlap to my recollection. To answer your other question, this is all I got:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/kevinlove/status/449218840095129600[/tweet]

Hoiberg seems pretty comfortable at ISU right now but that doesn't mean big bucks and a chance to coach Love, Noah, and Rose wouldn't lure him away.

Hoiberg was in the Timberwolves front office from 2006-2010, so their time in Minnesota overlapped for two seasons.

Yeah, when we drafted Mayo, Hoiberg was assistant GM. He told the crowd at the draft party that we drafted Mayo to keep him, everyone went home and went to bed, and he was traded by the next morning.

If Chicago is trying to pile up assets to trade with us, why don't they just trade us Thibodeau?

[BoomFizzle]

Even after a Love trade I find it hard to find a front court partner for Pekovic when Rubio is the PG. Rubio being PG really means the 4 needs to be able to shoot. Playing next to Pekovic means the 4 needs to be mobile and strong defensively.

Whatever comes back in a Love trade needs to either be a stud wing (or potential to be one) or an athletic floor spacing 4.

Ibaka would be a nice partner, otherwise Klay+ for Love and scrub contracts for Josh Smith?

How about we just get Telebubby and forget about defence

[wolves_fan_82au]

Question from an outsider looking in:

Most T'Wolves fans seem to agree that a Love-Pekovic front court just doesn't really work, right? If Love were with a defensive C, it would be great, or if Pekovic were with a defensive PF, it would be great, but together, it just isn't really that conducive to winning, am I correct?

So then why would getting Jared Sullinger back in a trade with Boston be attractive to you guys? I understand wanting their top 6 pick, but I feel like Sullinger is just as bad a fit with Pekovic as Love while being far less talented.

As an outsider looking in, I feel like I'd rather try to pry Barnes and Thompson from Golden State, Butler, Mirotic, Gibson, and 1st round picks from Chicago, or Len and a bunch of 1st round picks from Phoenix if I were a Wolves fan.

the side would be rebuilding and pekovic is injury prone

[AQuintus]

Even after a Love trade I find it hard to find a front court partner for Pekovic when Rubio is the PG. Rubio being PG really means the 4 needs to be able to shoot. Playing next to Pekovic means the 4 needs to be mobile and strong defensively.

Whatever comes back in a Love trade needs to either be a stud wing (or potential to be one) or an athletic floor spacing 4.

Ibaka would be a nice partner, otherwise Klay+ for Love and scrub contracts for Josh Smith?

How about we just get Telebubby and forget about defence

Even if Love isn't traded, there's a very good chance that Pekovic will be. Any PFs will look at in a trade or draft should be looked at with Dieng in mind, not Pek.

[C.lupus]

Did Love and Hoiberg have any overlap in Minnesota? If so, anyone know if they have a positive relationship?

They didn't overlap to my recollection. To answer your other question, this is all I got:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/kevinlove/status/449218840095129600[/tweet]

Hoiberg seems pretty comfortable at ISU right now but that doesn't mean big bucks and a chance to coach Love, Noah, and Rose wouldn't lure him away.

Hoiberg was in the Timberwolves front office from 2006-2010, so their time in Minnesota overlapped for two seasons.

Oh that's right. Good call. I was just thinking playing days.

[Grits n Gravy]

I really hope that if we do the Boston trade(which seems like clearly the best package IMO) we commit to bottoming out and playing and developing our young guys. Also I'd want us to trade Pek when the time in right when he has hopefully regained some kind of value. I certainly don't want a stubborn new coach to come in and try and grind out 35-40 wins putting us on a treadmill while ignoring our young guys. Earning minutes and holding guys accountable? Absolutely yes but give them their rope and opportunity. If we strike on a top 5 pick next year we'd have a great foundation going forward.

[Krapinsky]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ryenarussillo/status/468529566915768320[/tweet]

Anyone remember this? Could have had Al Jefferson and the #5 pick, then Boston went ahead and traded the #5 pick for Allen and Boston still had the best package left over.