HartfordWhalers wrote:Those assets just don't come close.
I don't doubt that you are correct in comparable valuations, but lets be realistic. Kevin Love has made it clear that he wants to be with a contender. He is going to be a free agent and sign with a contender eventually, so whoever gets him is really loaning him for just a year - unless that team happens to already be contenders.
I cannot think of a single team that has the assets to get Love, whilst ensuring that they remain contenders. The Spurs have no assets. Oklahoma wont give up either KD or Westbrook. Miami won't give up LeBron (and who really wants Wade right now?). Teams like Cleveland wont give up guys like Irving, because if they do, Love wont be with a contender and he will leave after a year. Same goes with George and Indiana and/or Harden and Houston.
The two best bets according to RealGM are the Dubs and the Bulls. The only way for the Dubs to get Love would be to give up Klay, DLee and Barnes (plus picks). The only way for the Bulls to get Love would be to give up DRose (plus add negative value in Boozer). Unless Love signs an extension, neither of these teams are likely to pull the trigger as it would leave them decimated should he leave (and lets not forget the Howard / Lakers historical precedent). That leaves the Wolves in a pretty poor situation.
All they can really do is trade Love to a lottery team with a high draft pick or picks. After the trade, who is to say that these teams will become immediate contenders? The probability is against them.
The Clipper offer of DJ + JCraw + Misc is not great, but it comes without strings attached and no 3 team deals necessary. If Love decides to bail, then that's life. If not, then he has a contender. I don't think you can write this off so quickly in my opinion.