The Denver Nuggets come into the offseason after missing the playoffs this year and now they could be in the mix for a Kevin Love trade this summer, as the team reportedly is willing to deal Kenneth Faired and Wilson Chandler to the Timberwolves along with Arron Afflalo if they can acquire him in a trade from the Orlando Magic before the draft.
Love has been the most talked about player in the NBA over the past year about what he will do in the future and he is a target for no less than eight teams in the league. ESPN.com reported that the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors are the front runners for Love, while the Boston Celtics have the best asset package to deal to the Wolves. Other teams interested in Love now include the Denver Nuggets as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets.
Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Nuggets are looking to get in on the Kevin Love trade talks, as they are willing to deal Kenneth Faired and Wilson Chandler along with Arron Afflalo if they can get him from the Orlando Magic. The report says that the team would look to acquire Afflalo from the Magic to make the deal sweeter for the Timberwolves, as he is coming off of a career year that saw him shoot over 40 percent from three point range last season. Afflalo and Ricky Rubio could be a nicer backcourt tandem and Faried is one of the best young rebounders in the league and could help soften the blow of losing Love.
Love is going to leave Minnesota and now the Timberwolves have to decide if they want to risk losing him for nothing over trading him for a package of players and/or picks. Love has been a double-double machine in recent years and for a team like the Bulls or the Rockets to get a deal done, they will need to make major moves. The Rockets have Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin on the books, while Carlos Boozer is eating up some money for Chicago. Both of those teams are also in on Carmelo Anthony and if the Love trade doesn't work, they could target him in free agency.
Love has been one of the most consistent young players in the league over the past few years and once he signed his extension with the Timberwolves, everyone wondered about 2015 and whether he would opt out or not. Love has said that he wants to test the market and that he will not sign another extension with the Wolves and while they remain in the mix to re-sign him, chances are he will not be staying up North. Love has expressed frustration about now making the playoffs in his six seasons in the league and the Wolves missed out again last year and now they could be forced to trade Love. Glen Taylor has said that he does not want to deal Love, but the team may not have much of a choice if he sticks to his guns and tests the market next summer.
