The Kevin Love trade rumors are starting to heat up heading into the summer of 2014 and once the offseason comes after the finals, teams like the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, NY Knicks, LA Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and nearly everyone else will be looking for a deal the Minnesota Timberwolves like and there is a chance the team is looking at a blockbuster Love trade this summer rather than next season.
Love has been the center of attention this offseason after he said that he plans on testing the market when his contract gives him and opt out and that has put the Timberwolves in position to decide whether or not to trade him this offseason. According to ESPN.com, the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors are two teams that intrigue Love and some other options for him include the Rockets, Celtics and Cavaliers, who own the number one pick in the draft. Love has been one of the most consistent young players in the league over the past few years and he averaged over 25 points and 12 rebounds last season while also factoring into the top 10 of MVP voting.
Love plans on opting out of his contract in 2015 if he is not traded and the Timberwolves may end up losing him for nothing if they don't deal him this summer. Love may not want to sign a contract extension even if he is traded and that will factor into what the Timberwolves do and if he does make it into free agency, the Knicks, Lakers, Bulls and Warriors all will be going after him. The Timberwolves are getting into Dwight Howard/Carmelo Anthony/Deron Williams territory and they may trade him to just make sure they get something in return for him.
Love can't avoid questions about his future and with Flip Saunders coming in to coach the Timberwolves there is a slight chance he could change his mind (but not really) and now Love has made comments about a number of teams, including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Lakers. Love spoke about Phil Jackson and said that he would be interested in the team now that he is in charge and adding Derek Fisher could help that as well. The Knicks are working on keeping Carmelo Anthony and they have that as a major priority and it comes as the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets are likely targeting him this offseason.