The Kevin Love trade rumors are picking back up the Chicago Bulls are in the mix once again after being out of things and while the Cleveland Cavaliers are the front runners along with the Golden State Warriors, the Bulls have emerged as an option and a package including Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler and possibly other players like Joakim Noah could be part of a push to get a deal done.
According to ESPN.com writer Marc Stein, the Bulls are back in the mix and they likely will try and get a deal done with Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, as the Timberwolves are looking for young talent and NBA-ready players. The Bulls were once considered a top destination for Love heading into the offseason, but that fell by the wayside as they tried to sign Carmelo Anthony. Now the team could pick up on that again and it comes after the Cavaliers have been pursuing the deal.
Cleveland is signing Wiggins to a two year deal and that means the team cannot trade him for 30 days, but sources say the deal doesn't end talks. The team needs to have him under contract anyway and while that could delay things, if the Wolves want to make the deal, they will. The Warriors are also in the mix and they have been unwilling to add Klay Thompson, instead offering Harrison Barnes and David Lee, but the Wolves have not bitten on that.
The Wolves are trying to get the most they can for Love and some think that they are playing the Warriors, Cavs and now the Bulls against each other to get a deal done. Love is the top trade piece on the market and he comes in with the ability to be a free agent after next season. Love is planning on testing the market and he has said he wants to play in the playoffs. Love will command a nice contract extension if he is traded and both the Cavs and Bulls would have to give up some important players to get him.
The Cavaliers originally offered Anthony Bennett and Dion Waiters along with a first round pick and they were not willing to add Wiggins, but that has changed. The Cavaliers want Love to pair with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving and now a team in their division could swoop in. The Bulls reportedly were not willing to trade Taj Gibson earlier in the season, but after signing Pau Gasol they may have changed things up. The Bulls are an interesting option, as they would be title favorites with a Love deal and a healthy Derrick Rose.
Love is one of the most consistent players in the NBA and he has not been to the playoffs in his career. Love said he was intrigued by the idea of playing in Cleveland and now that could be an option for him as the Bulls jump in. The Warriors may relent on Thompson, but for now they have not done that and the big battle is between the Cavs and the Bulls for Love right now. The Cavaliers are pushing for the deal and LeBron now is also keeping tabs on the progression of Wiggins this summer.