BfB wrote:PaulGaston wrote:FingerRoll wrote:
I really just don't see another team outbidding the C's and to state otherwise is crazy talk.
That's not really true, though. THere are several teams that COULD outbid Boston. Yes we have a lot of picks (most of which only have theoretical value), but teams could offer up tangible talent for Love.
As much as everyone is excited, this is a long way from being over. Jackie MacMullen shot down the absurd idea that Boston was close to nabbing Love + Melo. Her sources say that the Wolves aren't happy with Ainge's offer and she doubted Boston would land Love.
Yeah, perhaps Ainge is lowballing the Wolves with hopes of raising his offer down the line, but who knows. I think it's silly to definitively say "The Warriors aren't parting with Klay THompson in a deal" or "The Rockets aren't parting with Parsons in a deal" or "Love wouldn't play in Cleveland if they offered the #1 pick". We don't actually know that. I say Boston has a good shot, but I still think it's more likely we don't get Love.
Look, Jackie Mac is a great journalist and has a shrewd understanding of the game. That being said, when a team source discusses trade scenarios with a journalist there is a HUGE incentive to provide information that benefits the team providing the information. Teams often use the media to push their agenda. So, just because a team source states something, does not mean that it is the gospel.
I'm sure MIN is not thrilled with BOS offer 3 weeks before the draft. They want more and they are trying to create a market through mis-information and leaks - hence the myriad of leaked rumors surrounding Love recently. You have to play teams off of one another to try and force their respective hands and up the ante. I'm sure Jackie's source conveyed dissatisfaction and didn't sound optimistic about BOS chances of landing Love - which is EXACTLY the type of sentiment you want to send to a HoF journalist with deep ties to Boston after "the weekend" just occured - this is damage control 101. Notice how both WOJ and Jackie both had dish immediately following the media frenzy.
Eh. If Jackie has sources, it's within Boston. IF she says that the Wolves aren't interested in what Ainge is offering, I doubt it's coming from the Timberwolves. It's probably coming from someone in Boston who says, "All this hype about Love is overblown... we aren't anywhere close on a deal"... that's not to say there isn't gamemanship in what is leaked to the media... but there's also a chance that when she says it's doubtful it happens... it's because it's doubtful it happens.
To reiterate, as much as we can sit here and say "aint nobody gonna beat Boston's assets!", it's not really true. We're basing this on speculation and unsubstantiated rumors. I heard speculation/unsubstantiated rumors that the Rockets would shock everyone and actually consider trading James Harden in a package for Love... while also freeing cap space to bring in Melo. Likey garbage? Sure. But who knows. This idea that Love is on the verge of coming to Boston merely because he took a weekend visit is equally as silly.
Seems to me the visit was more about Love's player option for 2015-16. He can't sign an extension until next season, but they CAN make a trade contingent on him opting in for the 2015-16 season (similar to what Chris Paul did when the Clippers traded for him). Locking up Love for 2 years would make trading significant assets for him less of a risk. Putting 2-and-2 together, if Jackie Mac is CORRECT and Ainge is "lowballing" the Wolves, it's likely because it'd be insane for him to give up considerable assets for a 1 year rental of Kevin Love.. that's a potential Dwightmare situation all over again. However, if it's clear that Love is willing to opt-in for his 2nd season, that makes giving up assets easier to stomach. It still would possibly amount to a 2 year rental, but at least you'd have some more prep-time... if things didn't work out in Year 1, you could just flip him next summer. The trip to Boston was likely set up by his agent so Love could determine if Boston is
ONE OF THE teams he'd consider opting in with. He didn't know the city and probably wasn't sure if it was a place he was comfortable with playing in. Let's just jump to conclusions and assume he liked what he saw. Next steps would be Love telling his agent,"Ok... add Boston to the list of teams I'll opt-in with". Love's agent then tells Sota... Sota mentions it in their trade discussions... and perhaps Ainge ups his offer. But let's also jump to conclusions and assume that Love long ago decided that he was fine doing the 2015-16 opt-in with Lakers, Warriors, Rockets, Bulls, etc... Perhaps they didn't find a trip to those cities necessary, because he already knew what to expect with them. Keep in mind that the presumable goal of Love/his agent is to get Love out of Minnesota... not get Love to Boston. The more teams Love is willing to commit to, the more teams the Wolves can negotiate with in good faith... the better the offers they can get... the more likely they will trade Love and Love can accomplish his goal of leaving. If Love's people tell the Wolves, "It's the Lakers or bust", then that really leaves no leverage for the Wolves... and they'll have no option but take the #7 pick or negotiate with a team like the Kings who is crazy enough to give up assets without a commitment from Love. I am speculating that the BOston trip was just about expanding Love's options and giving the Wolves more serious contenders.
WE're reading into the trip and saying "oh! Love is coming to Boston!", because we're a forum full of homers who want to believe. "OMG... Love went to a Red SOx game... fire up the Ron Paul gif!".. But temper your expectations a bit. This is a long way from being over. Don't be shocked if Love is traded elsewhere. No doubt we have a good chance at landing him, though.
