The Chicago Bulls are gearing up for a big summer and the team is targeting a trade for Kevin Love with the Timberwolves along with a run at Carmelo Anthony from the NY Knicks and to get in on those deals, the team may have to trade Carlos Boozer, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson as well as a first round pick and that could put them ahead of teams like the Golden State Warriors, Knicks and Boston Celtics in the Love chase.
Love has made it clear that he wants to test the market and the Timberwolves now have to decide whether to trade him or simply let him walk as a free agent in 2015. According to ESPN.com, Love has not demanded a trade from the team, but he has made it clear that he will not be signing another extension no matter what and that means nearly every team in the league will be angling to trade for him this summer. Owner Glen Taylor could be putting up a smoke screen, but he said that the team is not trading Love and if that holds he will be cashing in next summer.
The Bulls remain an option according to ESPN.com, as Love prefers that destination along with the Golden State Warriors as his top teams. The Lakers and Knicks have been mentioned because of their big city appeal and on top of that, the Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons all could get in on the action. Even if Love is not traded this summer, it could lay the groundwork for a deal later in the season when the deadline gets closer. The Wolves may not trade Love now, but if they are not in contention come next winter, he could be on his way out.
Bill Simmons on ESPN.com wrote that the longer these deals take (referring to trades with Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard) the worse off the Wolves will be. Teams will be less willing to offer first round picks and big name players if they know they can try and woo Love in the summer and that puts extra pressure on teams to try and get a deal done. The Bulls have assets to move and they are reportedly interested in Love and Anthony this summer as Plan 1 and Plan 1a depending on how things play out.
The Bulls will have to move Carlos Boozer to get either of these deals done, as he made $15 million last season and is now 32 years old. Boozer had his worst season with the Bulls and averaged 13.7 points and eight rebounds per game and now he could be moved in a deal for Love, or hit with the amnesty clause if the team tries to sign Anthony. The Bulls have a first round pick they can use in the deal along with players like Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler and that could be enough for the Wolves to deal. The Cavs have been mentioned as an option as well after they won the draft lottery and the number one pick and that could be a direction for the team, as they could add Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker as they try to rebuild.