Vecsey: Love's Agent Demanding Extension Offer by January 15

[Worm Guts]

I'm getting more and more worried about this. Why won't they just give him the extension? If players like Boozer can get what he got and Joe Johnson can get a max contract, what is taking the Minn. FO so long to get with Love on a deal? They can't afford to let him leave or to piss him off. This team is finally on the upward trend after 5 years of losing, and losing bad the last couple of seasons. They can't afford to let their best player go.

Johnson and Boozer were unrestricted free agents, so that's a different situation. Since Love is RFA, it makes some sense to wait. Don't lock up money before you have to. Of course the risk is making Love upset, but it would very bold of him to take a QO over a max contract under any circumstances.

[kmgarnett21]

I'm getting more and more worried about this. Why won't they just give him the extension? If players like Boozer can get what he got and Joe Johnson can get a max contract, what is taking the Minn. FO so long to get with Love on a deal? They can't afford to let him leave or to piss him off. This team is finally on the upward trend after 5 years of losing, and losing bad the last couple of seasons. They can't afford to let their best player go.

Johnson and Boozer were unrestricted free agents, so that's a different situation. Since Love is RFA, it makes some sense to wait. Don't lock up money before you have to. Of course the risk is making Love upset, but it would very bold of him to take a QO over a max contract under any circumstances.

True. But I still think it'd be wise to give him the extension sooner rather than later. No point in playing with fire on this one, IMO. If you lose Love, you probably eventually lose Rubio, too, and then you're back to being the dirt underneath the doormat.

[sisibilio]

Rose signed for 5, no options;
$6,993,708
$16,480,000
$17,716,000
$18,952,000
$20,188,000
$21,424,000 in 2016/17 season

total
$101,753,708

Just for the record

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/73727 ... -rose-rule

One of the new rules has come to be known as the Derrick Rose Rule. It allows franchise-level players to receive a higher maximum salary starting in their fifth year in the league. These players now can receive the same maximum salary as a player with seven years in the league. In order to qualify, the player must meet specific eligibility requirements -- he must have been the Most Valuable Player at least once, been named to an All-NBA (first, second or third) team twice, or been voted in as an All-Star starter twice.

So if i understand the rule well Love can't receive that kind of money even if he were selected to an All-NBA team this year, which seems very likely if he keeps producing at his current level the rest of the season.

[Saltine]

Correct, they made sure it only applied to rose.

[Flash4thewin]

Has a player in recent history left his team because he wasn't offered the Max early? I don't see that as being an issue. I secretly wonder if the front office drafted DWill as insurance to the possibility of losing Love.

[Dewey]

Has a player in recent history left his team because he wasn't offered the Max early? I don't see that as being an issue. I secretly wonder if the front office drafted DWill as insurance to the possibility of losing Love.

THis is my theory as well ... not that I din't like DW, but I do think it played a part. I think we can make it work with both on the floor, but my guess is DW is available if we can add an elite vet - no doubt. Not much to read into other than that.

[Saltine]

I doubt it, he was the obvious best talent on the board. Love isn't going anywhere.

[baseline33]

Love is refusing to sign an extension with Minnesota.

it looks like Love is trying to make his way back to LA.

if the Lakers amnesty Gasol in 2013, the Lakers could easily sign Love to a max contact and have a front court of Bynum and Love.

[B Calrissian]

Love is refusing to sign an extension with Minnesota.

it looks like Love is trying to make his way back to LA.

if the Lakers amnesty Gasol in 2013, the Lakers could easily sign Love to a max contact and have a front court of Bynum and Love.

Maybe you should read further into the thread.
http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1150468

[southern wolf]

Love is refusing to sign an extension with Minnesota.

it looks like Love is trying to make his way back to LA.

if the Lakers amnesty Gasol in 2013, the Lakers could easily sign Love to a max contact and have a front court of Bynum and Love.

According to your sauce?

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Love is refusing to sign an extension with Minnesota.

it looks like Love is trying to make his way back to LA.

if the Lakers amnesty Gasol in 2013, the Lakers could easily sign Love to a max contact and have a front court of Bynum and Love.

Would be foolish to amnesty a player with trade value. I see it like as Love doesn't want to commit to the t-wolves till he see the direction they are heading. He doesn't like what he sees he'll talk his way out. The biggest thing is he is a RFA. So the ball is in the t-wolves FO court. They would be wise to trade somebody who doesn't want to be there but by no means will they have to.

[shrink]

Love is refusing to sign an extension with Minnesota.

it looks like Love is trying to make his way back to LA.

if the Lakers amnesty Gasol in 2013, the Lakers could easily sign Love to a max contact and have a front court of Bynum and Love.

So much wrong with this post, it doesn't merit correcting.

You are a lost cause sir, and I suggest you look into other sports, like nascar.

[Rondo2Hondo]

The fact that Love or his agent are talking this way is unsettling.

Best case scenario, re-sign Love to a max deal. He has shown enough improvement at a young age and is dedicated to becoming a better defender. He really needs to cut his turnovers and improve his post game in the next couple of seasons to be a top 10 player though.

Worst case scenario, this stupid rhetoric continues, he doesn't sign the extension, and he needs to be traded. I could see the Lakers deal working for Minny, by trading for Gasol (bit of a bummer because of Pau's age). The other deal that would really interest me is trading him for the Wizards top pick at the deadline if they have the worst record in the league (because there will only be 22 games left after the deadline).

Something like:
Washington trade:
- Andray Blatche
- Unprotected 2012 lottery pick

Washington receive:
- Kevin Love


Clippers trade:
- Mo Williams
- 2012 Minnesota pick

Clippers receive:
- Andray Blatche
- Wes Johnson

Minnesota trade:
- Kevin Love
- Wes Johnson

Minnesota receive:
- Mo Williams
- Their own 2012 pick
- Washington 2012 pick


Pray, hope, pray and hope some more that they land Anthony Davis, and/ or Andre Drummond.

[Baphomet]

Wolves have had years upon years of high lottery picks to no avail. In the highly unlikely event that they trade Love, they surely want a quality / immediate impact player and not another high pick that will likely require more seasons of grooming. Andray Blatche is a knucklehead and perennial loser who doesn't even warrant discussion, I doubt the Wolves want anything to do with him.

Also, New Orleans owns that 2012 MN pick after the Chris Paul trade. Not LAC.

[Rondo2Hondo]

Wolves have had years upon years of high lottery picks to no avail. In the highly unlikely event that they trade Love, they surely want a quality / immediate impact player and not another high pick that will likely require more seasons of grooming. Andray Blatche is a knucklehead and perennial loser who doesn't even warrant discussion, I doubt the Wolves want anything to do with him.

Also, New Orleans owns that 2012 MN pick after the Chris Paul trade. Not LAC.

Blatche isn't going to the Wolves in my scenario, look again. Totally forgot about New Orleans having that pick, no way you guys wraggle it from them.

[shrink]

It is incredibly rare for any top young rookie to risk playing two years without injury, rather than sign an extension for a guaranteed $50+ mil.

I put zero credence into the idea that the Wolves need to trade Love, and than Pau Gasol would be their target.

[Baphomet]

Wolves have had years upon years of high lottery picks to no avail. In the highly unlikely event that they trade Love, they surely want a quality / immediate impact player and not another high pick that will likely require more seasons of grooming. Andray Blatche is a knucklehead and perennial loser who doesn't even warrant discussion, I doubt the Wolves want anything to do with him.

Also, New Orleans owns that 2012 MN pick after the Chris Paul trade. Not LAC.

Blatche isn't going to the Wolves in my scenario, look again. Totally forgot about New Orleans having that pick, no way you guys wraggle it from them.

Ah, my bad. But I can't see the Clips being too interested in him either. He just isn't a very good player, imo, though I guess he could work backing up Blake.

[Rondo2Hondo]

Wolves have had years upon years of high lottery picks to no avail. In the highly unlikely event that they trade Love, they surely want a quality / immediate impact player and not another high pick that will likely require more seasons of grooming. Andray Blatche is a knucklehead and perennial loser who doesn't even warrant discussion, I doubt the Wolves want anything to do with him.

Also, New Orleans owns that 2012 MN pick after the Chris Paul trade. Not LAC.

Blatche isn't going to the Wolves in my scenario, look again. Totally forgot about New Orleans having that pick, no way you guys wraggle it from them.

Ah, my bad. But I can't see the Clips being too interested in him either. He just isn't a very good player, imo, though I guess he could work backing up Blake.

My thinking was that they could have a 3 man bigman rotation, but after reading your post, I have realised that if the Clips veen had that pick, they could probably draft a better player with the pick. Losing Mo's contract isn't worth losing a draft pick (like the Boom Dizzle trade)

[Dewey]

Waiting to sign an extension is a risky move for several reasons, but if I'm in Loves shoes, I'd do the same when the team has experienced a losing culture the past few years. He now has a PG, DW has potential, a veteran coach, and team assets to potentially make a move for a veteran. Love merely wants to see the roster firm up like the rest of us. The LA theory for example is a stretch ... they are an aging franchise outside of Bynum. However, if that's where he wants to be, then that's where he will likely end up there or wherever.

[[RCG]]

All you need to know is the rumor started by a New York writer. All big city writers do is generate rumors that generally follow "Small-Market Star Wants Out (so he can come here!)" Nothing original or panic-worthy.