The Boston Celtics are not hiding their interest in Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love. And as the NBA Draft nears, the team continues to try and create a strong enough package of players and draft picks to try and bring the All-Star forward to Boston.
According to ESPN NBA Draft insider Chad ford, the Celtics are “trying hard” to use the Nos. 6 and 17 picks, as well as future first-round draft picks and young players such as Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk to try and deal for Love.
But I continue to get strong signals that the Celtics are trying hard to use pick No. 6 and 17 along with future No. 1s and young players such as Jared Sullinger or Kelly Olynyk to persuade the Minnesota Timberwolves to trade them Kevin Love. One source close to the Wolves said that while Flip Saunders does not want to trade Love, he realizes the team likely will lose him this summer and the package the Celtics are offering is probably the best he’s going to get. Given the strength of the draft, picks 6, 13 and 17 could land them three young starters to help them rebuild their roster quickly.
Saunders, the Wolves president, came down from the front office to coach the team in hopes of convincing Love to stay in the Twin Cities. So far, it doesn’t appear as if the move has worked.
Yesterday, it was reported that the longer Love remains in Minnesota the more of a distraction it will become for the rest of his teammates. Per the report, Love has grown so “disenchanted with the thought of remaining with the organization” that there is a fear he will have a negative influence on the other players.
The Golden State Warriors and the Chicago Bulls have long been at the forefront in the Kevin Love sweepstakes, and the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings are also expected to make a play for him. Love reportedly wants to join a contending club, and while the Celtics don’t fit that bill, he would be pairing up with fellow All-Star Rajon Rondo and would get a roster built around him.
Love made the trip to Boston “to see what it was like” last month, and previously said he was intrigued by the idea of playing for the Celtics and for coach Brad Stevens.
