The Carmelo Anthony Sweepstakes and the Kevin Love Auction have dominated headlines entering NBA free agency next month, and one team reportedly in the mix to land one of those superstars may have finally tipped his hand.
According to the New York Daily News, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has not been trying to recruit ‘Melo to join the Bulls. He has no plans to do so. Instead, Rose would rather try and get Love into a Bulls uniform.
According to sources close to Kevin Love, Rose’s preference is for the Bulls to work out a deal as soon as possible for Minnesota’s All-Star forward because he sees Love as more of a team player than Anthony. Chicago is in the mix with Golden State for Love, with Boston and Denver considered long shots. If it makes any difference to Melo, Rose has no plans to recruit Love, who is free next summer, either. But the Bulls already know whom he’d really prefer to play with in the future.
This should come as no surprise for anyone who compares and contrasts Anthony’s and Love’s playing style, and how each would fit in with Rose in Chicago.
Love is a multi-talented big man who can stretch the court, hit 3-pointers, rebound and dominate in the paint. Power forwards with the array of skills do not come around all too often, and would fit in well with Joakim Noah and Rose. Rose views Love as more of a “team player.”
‘Melo needs to dominate the ball. He doesn’t need a great point guard on his team for that particular reason, which dilutes the potential of pairing him with Rose. ‘Melo would have to be willing to alter his style of play and be more of a catch-and-shoot type of scorer, and there has been little inclination that’s his plan.
There’s also no indication that the Bulls front office will be consulting with Rose about which player they target. The issue is the Bulls will be depleted by either signing Anthony or trading for Love.
Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Mike Dunleavy are all likely trade chips or candidates for release to make the salary cap room for Anthony or to try and entice the Minnesota Timberwolves to send their All-Star forward packing. However, there’s a greater likelihood that one or two of those trade chips may be able to stay in Chicago if Love is acquired via trade.
Love was believed to a fan of Chicago, as he is enticed by the idea of playing in a big-time city. He is also been the subject of trade rumors involving the Golden State Warriors.
