Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love is one of the most talked about players in the NBA and after trade talk dominated once again at the deadline, many speculated on what the future will be for the star and Bill Simmons at Grantland suggested that the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat would be the best options for him if he ended up leaving the Wolves.
Love is mentioned in trade rumors and in free agency rumors because of how bad the Timberwolves have been over the past few years and many in the media see him opting out or leaving in a trade as a forgone conclusion already. The Lakers have been mentioned the most as a possibility for when Love can opt out in 2015, as they will have the money and the cap space to make a deal, while the Bulls and Knicks have also come up as possible destinations.
At Grantland, Simmons basically looks at it from as realistic perspective as one can, putting together some teams that could put a deal together for Love and ones that actually have the space to make the move happen. The Knicks have regressed since last season and there is no reason to think Love will sign there over other teams and the same could be said of the Lakers, but everyone expected the team to fall back this season with Kobe Bryant being injured. The Bulls are a very interesting possibility, as they have been mentioned as a destination for Carmelo Anthony and if they miss out on that, Chicago could go after Love.
The Knicks have the second highest payroll in the NBA and they have a tight situation heading into next year and that is why the Lakers appear to be a good fit, as they will clear out a ton of cap space and that could be more attractive to players. Chicago has the chance to make deals, as they are clearing out space and they can afford to pay for another superstar and they have an excellent team already with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah and that would likely mean carlos Boozer would be gone.
The Suns have the assets to make a deal if they wanted, as they have young players and draft picks, including three first round picks for the 2014 draft and those came from deals with the Wizards, Pacers and their own pick and that could be a possibility says Simmons. LA is the best fit for a deal, while Boston could try and make a move as well including draft picks. Love has been the most consistent player in the NBA and along with Anthony, he is the top name in free agency and trades and after averaging 34 points last month, he is now averaging 26 points and 13.2 rebounds this season.
