I’m sure you’ve heard by now. “Reports: At least 12 teams in Kevin Love Trade Sweepstakes.” And the next day, “Flip Saunders expects Love to stay for the next season.” A new day, a new rumor involving Kevin Love.
To be real, only 3 teams have a chance to land and keep Love around for the next few years: the Houston Rockets, the Chicago Bulls, and the Golden State Warriors. Many analysts and reports suggest the following criteria for any organization to acquire and to re-sign Love:
- Immediate playoff contention.
- Appealing trade assets.
- An assurance from Kevin Love that he re-signs, following the 2014-15 season.
The Rockets, fresh off a first round exit against the Trailblazers, discovered Dwight Howard and James Harden aren’t going to be enough. Declining to pick up Chandler Parson’s option for the next year, the Rockets hope to keep Parsons around by matching any offer, making the basketball world speculate the possibility for a third superstar (*cough cough, Kevin Love). The frontcourt would be ridiculous. Dwight and Love would fight for the board, and there would be no room for anyone else. They can even split up the work; Love goes for the offensive rebounds, while Dwight chases the defensive rebounds. The ability to use Love to stretch the floor would make the Rockets that much more effective. The only problem here is the Timberwolves’ willingness to absorb the contracts of Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik, both overpaid players for their production on the court. If Houston can work around this, then the city will have a big 3 of its own.
The Bulls need Derrick Rose back. They might have an elite defense, but the past seasons without Rose have shown that they need offense to progress and reach the Finals. With a healthy Rose and a stretch power forward in Kevin Love, Chicago will have the necessary elements to go deep. With a former MVP in Rose and reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Joakim Noah, adding Love, a superstar, will only strengthen the team’s prospects. No doubt, Love will want to re-sign with the team once they prove they are title contenders in the league. Chicago also has decent young players to package to Minnesota, including forward Taj Gibson and defensive ace Jimmy Butler.
In my opinion, the Golden State Warriors seems the most likely and fitting destination for the Minnesota Timberwolves forward. The Dubs could ship out David Lee, Harrison Barnes, and a couple draft picks in exchange for Love but are hesitant in moving 3-point shooter Klay Thompson. Steph Curry and Thompson form the league’s best backcourt shooting tandem, and either one of them would be a devastating combination with Kevin Love in the pick and roll. Love can pop out and shoot, something that would give the Warriors a unique offensive identity and strategy. Minnesota would be receiving the best players from any team in return, and the addition of Love to the Warriors will challenge the Clippers, Thunder, and Spurs as one of the top teams in the Western Conference for years to come. A win-win situation for both teams.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/John Bazemore