The Minnesota Timberwolves are rumored to be considering dealing star forward Kevin Love prior to NBA Draft night later this month.
ProBasketballDraft.com hints the Wolves now fear Love has grown so disenchanted with the thought of remaining with the organization to keep him on the roster perhaps runs the risk of him having a negative influence on other players.
“The distraction will only get worse the longer he’s there,” one GM told ProBasketballDraft.
The Bulls, Lakers, Celtics, Rockets, Cavaliers, Suns, and Warriors all figure to be major players for the sixth-year veteran’s services. Love averaged 26 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists this past season, but has yet to lead the Wolves to the playoffs.
The price undoubtedly will be steep for the 25-year-old All-Star forward. Love recently hung out in Boston with Celtics guard Rajon Rondo and management seems to have little problem with making that a permanent partnership. Gifted with several first-round picks over the next year, Boston appears willing to offer up any combination of them in hopes of acquiring Love.
In Chicago, the Bulls could offer a pair of 2014 first-round picks, as well as the expiring contract of veteran forward Carlos Boozer and such young and emerging talent as Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler, and Tony Snell. The Cavs boast the top pick in this month’s loaded draft, while the Suns are rumored to be offering the tandem of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe and the Rockets Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik.
And still the wildcard could be the Lakers, where Love’s heart has long been thought to be. The native Californian played his college ball at UCLA and grew up cheering for his hometown Lakers.
Armed with the No. 7 pick in the June 26 draft, the Lakers are desperate to add a young star to play alongside Kobe Bryant and perhaps serve as the face of the franchise whenever the Hall of Fame-bound guard might finally choose to hang them up.
