Kevin Love Free Agency/Trade Thread

[FinnTheHuman]

As a Celtic fan, I'd be willing to do Sully + #5 + 2 future 1sts.. seems like a slightly better haul than what OKC got for Harden which, IMO, is a pretty decent measuring stick. GSW isn't even worth talking about if Klay's off the table, Harrison Barnes is a terrible centerpiece for a Love trade.

If you want a maddeningly frustrating, underperforming athletic freak.. Jeff Green can disappoint you just as much as Harry Barnes can. Guy's fools gold.

Pretty much agreed.

But you gotta look at our need for Green from our point of view. You surround Rubio with guys who are more about athleticism than basketball skills, and the results are awesome. Derrick Williams, Dieng, Brewer, Dante Cunningham etc. all look much much better with Rubio on the court. We wanna see if Green can turn it around with us. We should go for him imo.

[LordBaldric]

No Thompson and GSW can pound sand.

[shawn unkempt]

As a Celtic fan, I'd be willing to do Sully + #5 + 2 future 1sts.. seems like a slightly better haul than what OKC got for Harden which, IMO, is a pretty decent measuring stick. GSW isn't even worth talking about if Klay's off the table, Harrison Barnes is a terrible centerpiece for a Love trade.

If you want a maddeningly frustrating, underperforming athletic freak.. Jeff Green can disappoint you just as much as Harry Barnes can. Guy's fools gold.

Pretty much agreed.

But you gotta look at our need for Green from our point of view. You surround Rubio with guys who are more about athleticism than basketball skills, and the results are awesome. Derrick Williams, Dieng, Brewer, Dante Cunningham etc. all look much much better with Rubio on the court. We wanna see if Green can turn it around with us. We should go for him imo.

Green doesn't play well off the ball at all and never really developed any chemistry with Rondo. I have a feeling it'd be the same with Rubio.

[C.lupus]

I'm fine with Green being left out of the deal. I like the Sully + 5 + 2 future firsts better anyway.

[shawn unkempt]

I'm fine with Green being left out of the deal. I like the Sully + 5 + 2 future firsts better anyway.

I'm kinda surprised this isn't the consensus for best case scenario for you guys.

[Krapinsky]

I'm fine with Green being left out of the deal. I like the Sully + 5 + 2 future firsts better anyway.

I'm kinda surprised this isn't the consensus for best case scenario for you guys.

If Boston is willing to throw in additional future first in there, then it absolutely is. I think Ainge is too smart to do that though. I think he sees a Sully + Green + 5 deal as sufficient compared to what's out there and I think he's going to keep Olynyk and those future 1st's for his next big fish to form a new Big 3 - the same way he was able to orchestrate getting Allen and Garnett in the same offseason.

[Maefteda]

If we get to swap out Martin or Budinger for Green, then I'm all for including him. I really like Boston's offer though. Sullinger can step right in at the 4 and do pretty well, with an opportunity to grow as a player. #5/6 is great value and would hopefully get us someone like Gordon, as he can play the 3 and the backup 4 behind Sullinger. Loads of future picks to choose from as well.

[gaspar]

Celtics deal makes a lot of sense for the Wolves but does it make sense for Love? Would he resign with them? Rondo (who, IMO, isn't THAT much better than Rubio) and a whole bunch of nothing isn't any better situation than Love has in Minnesota. Sure, they are in the East but would the Celtics be better than Heat, Pacers, Wizards, Raptors or Bulls? Hornets, healthy Hawks or Pistons with a proper coach should be pretty competitive too... Would Ainge risk trading all these assets for a possible rental?

[Mattya]

Celtics deal makes a lot of sense for the Wolves but does it make sense for Love? Would he resign with them? Rondo (who, IMO, isn't THAT much better than Rubio) and a whole bunch of nothing isn't any better situation than Love has in Minnesota. Sure, they are in the East but would the Celtics be better than Heat, Pacers, Wizards, Raptors or Bulls? Hornets, healthy Hawks or Pistons with a proper coach should be pretty competitive too... Would Ainge risk trading all these assets for a possible rental?

Pretty sure Ainge was willing to offer Rondo + for CP3 before he was traded with not commitment.

[BleedGreen1989]

If we get to swap out Martin or Budinger for Green, then I'm all for including him. I really like Boston's offer though. Sullinger can step right in at the 4 and do pretty well, with an opportunity to grow as a player. #5/6 is great value and would hopefully get us someone like Gordon, as he can play the 3 and the backup 4 behind Sullinger. Loads of future picks to choose from as well.

One of the forgotten chips in a deal from Boston is the Pierce TE for $10.3mill.

Even after keeping Green, Boston could likely absorb say Martin if Minnesota wanted the cap room.

Sullinger, Bogans (expiring), Anthony (expiring) for Love matches closely.

Then TPE for Martin could be a seperate deal.

Then sprinkle on the picks.

[gaspar]

Celtics deal makes a lot of sense for the Wolves but does it make sense for Love? Would he resign with them? Rondo (who, IMO, isn't THAT much better than Rubio) and a whole bunch of nothing isn't any better situation than Love has in Minnesota. Sure, they are in the East but would the Celtics be better than Heat, Pacers, Wizards, Raptors or Bulls? Hornets, healthy Hawks or Pistons with a proper coach should be pretty competitive too... Would Ainge risk trading all these assets for a possible rental?

Pretty sure Ainge was willing to offer Rondo + for CP3 before he was traded with not commitment.

Yeah, but they still had KG and Pierce back then. IMO after what happened with Dwight and Iggy last summer GMs will be more reluctant to trade for Love if there's a doubt if they can re-sign him.

[Mattya]

Celtics deal makes a lot of sense for the Wolves but does it make sense for Love? Would he resign with them? Rondo (who, IMO, isn't THAT much better than Rubio) and a whole bunch of nothing isn't any better situation than Love has in Minnesota. Sure, they are in the East but would the Celtics be better than Heat, Pacers, Wizards, Raptors or Bulls? Hornets, healthy Hawks or Pistons with a proper coach should be pretty competitive too... Would Ainge risk trading all these assets for a possible rental?

Pretty sure Ainge was willing to offer Rondo + for CP3 before he was traded with not commitment.

Yeah, but they still had KG and Pierce back then. IMO after what happened with Dwight and Iggy last summer GMs will be more reluctant to trade for Love if there's a doubt if they can re-sign him.

And they still have Rondo plus assets after this trade.

[15th overall]

Not sure what the opinion of Sullinger is around here, but you guys would absolutely love him. If he slims down as planned and is allowed to play exclusively at PF, I think he could be a possible MIP candidate as soon as next season.

He was slotted to be a top 5 pick before his back scared people off... and he's already had that fixed on our watch, by all accounts it's not supposed to be a chronic issue. He'll never be Kevin Love good, but he's a legit blue chipper with a real shot at eventually reaching All Star status.

[AQuintus]

Sullinger, Bogans (expiring), Anthony (expiring) for Love matches closely.

Doesn't work.

Sullinger, Bogans, and Anthony make a combined $10.2 Million. Love makes $14.7 million.

If Boston adds Green ($8.7 million), then Minnesota can add Martin ($6.5 million), and it will work. Then the TPE can be used to absorb Budinger ($5.0 mil) and Barea ($4.7 mil expiring, but I want to get rid of him).

Edit: If one side or the other doesn't want to include Green, a trade of Love + Budinger for #5, Sullinger, Bogans, Anthony, and Bass also works. Martin would then be traded for the TPE (without Barea).

Add future picks as needed.

C - Dieng/ Pekovic
PF- 5th pick/ Sullinger
SF- Green/ Brewer
SG- 13th pick/ Shabazz
PG- Rubio/ MLE

With Mbah a Moute, Shved, and Turiaf as expiring trade bait.

Also, I just realized we'd be getting the 5th pick, a pick that this franchise has had a lot of success with (Garnett, Rubio, Love).

[C.lupus]

Celtics deal makes a lot of sense for the Wolves but does it make sense for Love? Would he resign with them? Rondo (who, IMO, isn't THAT much better than Rubio) and a whole bunch of nothing isn't any better situation than Love has in Minnesota. Sure, they are in the East but would the Celtics be better than Heat, Pacers, Wizards, Raptors or Bulls? Hornets, healthy Hawks or Pistons with a proper coach should be pretty competitive too... Would Ainge risk trading all these assets for a possible rental?

Pretty sure Ainge was willing to offer Rondo + for CP3 before he was traded with not commitment.

Yeah, but they still had KG and Pierce back then. IMO after what happened with Dwight and Iggy last summer GMs will be more reluctant to trade for Love if there's a doubt if they can re-sign him.

Boston would have to make another move but they've got a ton of picks from Brooklyn and that $10 million TPE in addition to their pick, Sully, Green, etc. that they can split between a Love deal and another deal. Anyway, that's Ainge's and Love's thing to work out.

[Note30]

I think Love would sign long term with Boston

Rondo ?? Pressey?
Bradley Kevin Martin??
Green Wallace
Love Bass
Olynk Humphries

I think there is huge amount of talent on that team. If they find a suitable defensive center and sixth man they would be a strong playoff team. This is the east LOL, the Pacers and Heat were the only teams above .600
Love makes them an easy .500+ team. And the Hornets (Bobcats) are a fringe playoff team just like Atlanta. Boston would easily be a playoff team if they got Love this coming year and would IMHO be 4th or 5th seed.

Pretty sure Ainge was willing to offer Rondo + for CP3 before he was traded with not commitment.

Yeah, but they still had KG and Pierce back then. IMO after what happened with Dwight and Iggy last summer GMs will be more reluctant to trade for Love if there's a doubt if they can re-sign him.

And they still have Rondo plus assets after this trade.

[gaspar]

Pretty sure Ainge was willing to offer Rondo + for CP3 before he was traded with not commitment.

Yeah, but they still had KG and Pierce back then. IMO after what happened with Dwight and Iggy last summer GMs will be more reluctant to trade for Love if there's a doubt if they can re-sign him.

And they still have Rondo plus assets after this trade.

Perhaps I'm underestimating Celtics players/assets but I can't see how they would build a contender for next year. They really have very little talent on the roster.

[Note30]

Ehh. There's also precedent for another roster.

Rubio/ MLE (Aaron Brooks)?
5th pick/ 13th Pick
Brewer/ Muhammed
Sullinger / Dieng
Pekovic/ Dieng/ Turiaf

Personally I liked Marcus Smart. He's got that competivness and showmanship Love never really showed except after a three hear or there. Smart plays amazing defense and gives it his all every night. Back up shooting guard in Hood or Harris.

Sullinger, Bogans (expiring), Anthony (expiring) for Love matches closely.

Doesn't work.

Sullinger, Bogans, and Anthony make a combined $10.2 Million. Love makes $14.7 million.

If Boston adds Green ($8.7 million), then Minnesota can add Martin ($6.5 million), and it will work. Then the TPE can be used to absorb Budinger ($5.0 mil) and Barea ($4.7 mil expiring, but I want to get rid of him).

Edit: And if we don't want Green, then Joel Anthony (exp) can be swapped in, Budinger would be swapped with Martin in the original trade, and Budinger would be absorbed without Barea.

Add future picks as needed.

C - Dieng/ Pekovic
PF- 5th pick/ Sullinger
SF- Green/ Brewer
SG- 13th pick/ Shabazz
PG- Rubio/ MLE

With Mbah a Moute, Shved, and Turiaf as expiring trade bait.

Also, I just realized we'd be getting the 5th pick, a pick that this franchise has had a lot of success with (Garnett, Rubio, Love).

[Mattya]

Yeah, but they still had KG and Pierce back then. IMO after what happened with Dwight and Iggy last summer GMs will be more reluctant to trade for Love if there's a doubt if they can re-sign him.

And they still have Rondo plus assets after this trade.

Perhaps I'm underestimating Celtics players/assets but I can't see how they would build a contender for next year. They really have very little talent on the roster.

Rondo, Love alone makes the playoffs and probably close to home court advantage.

[The Rondo Show]

Yeah, but they still had KG and Pierce back then. IMO after what happened with Dwight and Iggy last summer GMs will be more reluctant to trade for Love if there's a doubt if they can re-sign him.

And they still have Rondo plus assets after this trade.

Perhaps I'm underestimating Celtics players/assets but I can't see how they would build a contender for next year. They really have very little talent on the roster.

Here's 1 mock off-season for you...
Top 5 pick + #17 pick + Sullinger + Bass (expiring) + Joel Anthony (expiring) for Love.
Take Asik and Lin off Houston's hands. $10.3M TE that absorbs Asik. Bogans+Pressey's non-guaranteed contracts for Lin.
Trade Avery Bradley+Clippers 2015 1st + Our 2015 1st + PHI 2015 1st (lotto protected, becomes 2 2nds if PHI misses playoffs) for Arron Afflalo.

Asik
Love
Green
Afflalo
Rondo

Olynyk
FA vet
Lin

Celtics have TONS of assets and picks that allows them to not stop after a Love trade. We'd also still have 2 1sts in 2016 (ours + Nets unprotected), our 2017 1st that we can swap with Nets (unprotected), 2 2018 1sts (ours + Nets unprotected). So while that's not quite a championship team, you should be talking 50+ wins in the East and quite a few picks to improve further in the future. Not crazy to think that could entice Love to stay when it takes legit contenders (with Love) like CHI and GSW out of the picture and he's choosing between playing with a 38 year old Kobe Bryant making $24M a year and the mess that is the NY Knicks as his FA options.