Kevin Love Free Agency/Trade Thread

[theGreatRC]

If you want to bottom out you probably haven't been a Wolves fan for very long. I don't think I can take any more bottoming out.

Preach brother. If we take another rebuild i'm jumping on whatever team Love ends up on(As long as it's not the Cavs)

[LordBaldric]

If we trade with Chicago we need Mirotic coming back with the picks/fillers. He's the only one in a Bulls package that has serious star potential. We can't just dump Love for a couple just solid players and 2 non-lotto picks. If Niko won't sign with us we hang up the phone and dial up Danny Ainge.

Mirotic and Pek together could form for us a Montenegrin Voltron of destruction.

[MinneOOPalis]

We didnt bring ricky from europe to play with more unathletic euro's.....

[Grits n Gravy]

If you want to bottom out you probably haven't been a Wolves fan for very long. I don't think I can take any more bottoming out.

Preach brother. If we take another rebuild i'm jumping on whatever team Love ends up on(As long as it's not the Cavs)

I've been a hard core wolves fan since 2010, I've watched basically every game since the beginning of the Darko/Wes/Beasley era. I'd love to make the playoffs but that's not enough for me. I want to have a sustained contending team and we all know how tough that is, especially in the west. The problem is we handed the keys to the wrong guy in Kahn when we could have had that contending team now. I think bottoming out and developing and trusting Flip is the only way to achieve this now. He has my faith with last years draft results and I really believe if we could land the #6, #17 as well as Sullinger and a future Brooklyn pick that would put us on that path.

[Yes We Kahn]

One thing I'm not sure has been brought up, but I think may be a point to consider. Any chance it was Love who pushed for the contract he got instead of Kahn with the motive being that he could get out sooner if we don't improve enough?

[Krapinsky]

I'm willing to bet they make an offer that doesn't have #1 pick in it. They'll offer Waiters, Bennett, and Thompson and we'll have to decide between that and the #6 pick and Sullinger/Olynyk.

Not even a question, imo. Bennett is negative value, and 6>Waiters.

You're pretty quick to call Bennett negative value. He had a terrible rookie season, but he's still one year removed from 30 GMs thinking he was a top 7 pick. I personally think Waiters and 6 are pretty close. I like 5 players in this draft. At 6, I start to get a little less confident.

[Krapinsky]

One thing I'm not sure has been brought up, but I think may be a point to consider. Any chance it was Love who pushed for the contract he got instead of Kahn with the motive being that he could get out sooner if we don't improve enough?

This is well chronicled. Love wanted 5, Kahn/Taylor wanted 4. As a compromise, they gave him 4 with a 3 year opt out.

[Narf]

I'm still thinking Ibaka, Lamb, and pick (Dallas or OKC) for Love. Maybe something else on either side to help even rosters if needed.

Not sure we need a rebuild instead of a retool.

[AQuintus]

You're pretty quick to call Bennett negative value. He had a terrible rookie season, but he's still one year removed from 30 GMs thinking he was a top 7 pick.

And Wes Johnson is only 4 years removed from 30 GMs thinking he was a top 5 pick. When a young guy has a terrible season it's usually because he's not good.

[Krapinsky]

You're pretty quick to call Bennett negative value. He had a terrible rookie season, but he's still one year removed from 30 GMs thinking he was a top 7 pick.

And Wes Johnson is only 4 years removed from 30 GMs thinking he was a top 5 pick. When a young guy has a terrible season it's usually because he's not good.

You almost had me go for the eye-roll there. I'm not a fan either, but I'd probably take him over a late first in this draft. I think he has value. If he still sucks after a few games into next season, then i'd agree he's probably reached negative value.

EDIT: This is coming from the guy that wouldn't trade the then #2 pick (Williams) for #15 (which became Leonard) and Hibbert.

[AQuintus]

You almost had me go for the eye-roll there. I'm not a fan either, but I'd probably take him over a late first in this draft. I think he has value. If he still sucks after a few games into next season, then i'd agree he's probably reached negative value.

At 1st overall pick money? I'd much rather have the late 1st guy. We'd probably get similar production at a fraction of the guaranteed cost.

[edit]

You almost had me go for the eye-roll there

Would it make you feel better if I had said 2 years ago 30 GMs thought Derrick Williams was a top 2 pick?

[Xplatformer]

Putting myself in a Wolves fan shoes, I'd rather root and watch a 19 year old develop into a hopeful star or good player than eat Lee's contract and worry about what Klay will get paid.

Whether that's a deal with Boston or LA doesn't matter.

Gotcha. You're ok being Cleveland or Philly.

Look...I'm hopeful the rumors are true that the Warriors management don't want to include Klay. Seriously, as great as Love is, he's not that much better than David Lee for the Warriors to give up their best two way player who isn't even 25 yet.

If you guys think David Lee + Klay Thompson isn't good enough for a Love deal I say fine.

I think a Lee + Thompson combo is too much for love.
I also think a Lee + Barnes combo isn't enough for Love.

So, unless the inclusion of next years draft pick sweetens the Barnes deal...it's best for both teams to simply agree to part ways.

There is no need to shaft either team.

[slicedbread2]

You're pretty quick to call Bennett negative value. He had a terrible rookie season, but he's still one year removed from 30 GMs thinking he was a top 7 pick.

And Wes Johnson is only 4 years removed from 30 GMs thinking he was a top 5 pick. When a young guy has a terrible season it's usually because he's not good.

You almost had me go for the eye-roll there. I'm not a fan either, but I'd probably take him over a late first in this draft. I think he has value. If he still sucks after a few games into next season, then i'd agree he's probably reached negative value.

EDIT: This is coming from the guy that wouldn't trade the then #2 pick (Williams) for #15 (which became Leonard) and Hibbert.

Well in all honesty, I actually liked the picks Saunders made last year. In regards to Love, I don't think he's going to re-sign in Cleveland. He gets Irving, but the rumblings of Kyrie wanting out of Cleveland are pretty strong and I won't blame him due to the incompetence of management. The only thing to me that would truly work is Love going east since the west teams interested in the Lakers, Rockets, Warriors and the Suns don't really have many compelling options at all. If Love were to agree to waive his P/O the way Paul did, T-Wolves can get a better package. As far as what I'd go for, I'd go for 2 deals in a certain scenario:

1) Chicago

Chicago: Kevin Love, Corey Brewer, trade exception of 6-7 million
Sacramento: Taj Gibson, Gary Neal, Jared Dudley, Ronny Turiaf, Willie Green, Sacramento pick returned
LA Clippers: Jason Thompson
Charlotte: Kevin Martin
Minnesota: Carlos Boozer, Brendan Haywood, Reggie Evans, Jason Terry, Travis Outlaw, #8, #16, #19, #24, #28 via Clippers/2017 first rounder, 2 seconds(#45 and a future second from Charlotte), future first from Chicago(2016 lottery protected)

Bulls get their guy in Love who'd make them a lethal threat on offense and would give Thibodeau a lot of offense to work with and vaults the Bulls into title contenders. They plan on luring Anthony to Chicago too and they still have some assets to do so. Brewer is a great energy guy who could easily mesh with Noah since both are friends and former team mates at Florida. They give up picks, but they go for it.

Kings trade a lotto pick that could be good, but they want to go for it to win now since they are going for their push. This deal would be perfect for them as they get the perfect guy to round out their starting 5 in Gibson who'd do really well next to Cousins. They also can waive Green who's non-guaranteed while using their bench players in Dudley and Neal to alleviate some scoring on the second unit.

Clips get that third big they wanted while jettisoning salary.

Charlotte loses some picks but they have #9 so they can afford to lose some picks while upgrading their wing spot with Martin to alleviate some scoring and adds spacing. Liability on defense, but Cliff's system covered Al, so it can definitely cover K-Mart.

For Minnesota, it's somewhat cringe worthy, but they move some long term salary in K-Mart and Brewer and send away a guy who was leaving anyway in FA. They get a whole stash of picks they could use to dump some expiring deals if they don't want too many players or buy out everybody coming to Minnesota. They obtain a whole stash of picks they could use to get some potential young talent. You'd probably have to do one more trade to lose some expirings. Enter Philadelphia:

Philadelphia: J.J. Barea, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Jason Terry, Travis Outlaw, Alexey Shved #24, #40, #53
Minnesota: J-Rich, trade exception, #52, #54

76ers move up into the first round while taking in a bunch of dead weight salary while Minnesota sheds some salary to open up roster spots. Waive J-Rich and let him go elsewhere as he has no spot on this team. Get David Blatt to come coach and your line up:

Rubio/?
Muhammad/Budinger
?
Boozer/Evans
Dieng/Pekovic/Haywood

+#8, #13, #16, #19, #28, #42, #52, #54

With those picks, I'd go for a combination of Dario Saric, Zach Lavine/Nick Staukas, Kyle Anderson, and the best players available at each spot. You can use some of the remaining picks on stashing international prospects and keep them for future trades. I'd try and dump Boozer to a team looking for cap relief and take a contract with an extra year on it while getting a pick in the process. If you can't find a deal for him by the deadline, may as well buy him out.

2). Boston

Their deal would be most likely centred around this:

Boston: Kevin Love, Kevin Martin, Omer Asik(Paul Pierce TPE)
Minnesota: Keith Bogans, Brandon Bass, Francisco Garcia, Joel Anthony, Jared Sullinger, #6, #25, Brooklyn 2016 first rounder, Philadelphia second rounders
Houston: 16-19 million trade exception, top 55 protected pick from the Warriors in 2018, Miami 2016 second
Golden State: Jeremy Lin(Richard Jefferson TPE)

Rockets get a crap load of cap space and can outright sign Anthony upon completion of jettisoning Asik and Lin along with Garcia and sending away picks to do so. They use their TPE's to fill out their roster.

Warriors use their TPE to bolster their bench and bring home Lin who's jerseys would sell out light a forest fire and his skill set would be perfect as the 6th man off the bench for a team that badly needed help on the offensive end.

Celtics get their guy and flank him with Rondo, K-Mart and Omega man anchoring the low post while sending away a lottery pick and a potentially strong 2016 pick from the Nets along with another pick from the Rockets and the 76ers picks. They use a bevy of their assets while still having some remaining ones available.

Minnesota loses a good star and a good shooter, but the return isn't too shabby and they manage to put a good return of some picks and get some expiring deals and end up not tying up long term cap space.

I think the C's deal would be better for most T-Wolves fans, but either one can't hurt if Saunders can hit on his picks and he did well surprisingly in the last draft and hires a coach who will work with developing young talent and hopefully build a sustainable core of developing youth.

Thoughts?

[zauchary]

I bet Kyrie would be down to stay in Cleveland if he had a guy like Love. In fact I could all but guarantee it. I also think would jump at the chance if he had those two.

Bring us the number one draft pick and put the name Joel Embiid on it. He is the transcendent talent in this draft.

[Jukeness]

We should not trade with the Warriors. I dont want David Lee on this team, he's not worth what he's getting paid and sucks worse than Love on defense.

[GopherIt!]

No deals with Boston. Can't go there.

[GopherIt!]

Cavs #1 2014, plus Waiters.


If they are willing to include TT or Bennett great.


Jabari Parker is my favorite out of the top group. Possibly Embiid.

[moss_is_1]

No deals with Boston. Can't go there.

That's really the best deal. Unless the Cavs are willing to move the #1 with Waiters/TT, which I highly doubt.

[GopherIt!]

No deals with Boston. Can't go there.

That's really the best deal. Unless the Cavs are willing to move the #1 with Waiters/TT, which I highly doubt.

That might be true. Blame the ghost of the KG trade.

I'd rather send him to OKC for Ibaka/Lamb/pick.


Lets hope Dan Gilbert comes through.

[Viljanen]

Come on. Lee + Klay is not a decent package.
Of course Taj + Butler is way better!!! (still not close to Love´s value, but much better).

Lee similar to Love? Sure, they´re both white, and rebound well. lee is a horrible defender, and that has been also said about Love, so I guess we have to take that as a possitive as well... Being able to take long 2s is nice, but nothing compared to take 3s at such a good and consistent rate. (Almost) everybody knows that by know!. And then, there are more things please, do not simplify Love as a good rebounder with the ability to shoot 3s. This is not that simple. Love can score at will, from inside, outside, excelent post moves, he is also a great passer... extremely versatile, and all that makes him special.

Lee... come on!