Kevin Love is still the top name in trade rumors this offseason and teams like the Boston Celtics are looking at him in a deal with Jared Sullinger or Kelly Olynyk and draft picks, while the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors are still interested in making a move with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Love has said to the media that he will not be signing an extension with the Timberwolves and that means the team has the choice to trade him or let him leave as a free agent after next season. According to ESPN.com, the Warriors were the frontrunners for the deal around the NBA draft, but that talk has now been slowed for a bit and a team like the Rockets may emerge if Carmelo Anthony signs with the Lakers or Knicks. Yahoo is reporting that was Anthony does will have an impact on the Wolves, as they may look at a deal for Chandler Parsons if he signs elsewhere.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Celtics are also another team looking at Love and they had interest around the NBA draft. The team was reportedly willing to put in draft picks to their deal, but that did not come to pass and now they have Marcus Smart and James Young. Adding those picks may give Danny Ainge some flexibility, as the report says that players like Jared Sullinger or Kelly Olynyk could be traded along with first round picks in the future to get Love. The Wolves are going back and forth on trading Love and while it may not happen this summer, it likely will happen during the season.
The Rockets were reportedly interested in making the move for Love, but that has taken a backseat to what Anthony is doing and once he decides, the team can make other moves. According to ESPN.com and Yahoo Sports, the Timberwolves may look at a sign and trade with Chandler Parsons if Anthony signs elsewhere, as the Rockets will pick up on the Love talks if that happens.
The trade rumors involving Love got very hot around the NBA draft involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, but nothing came to pass for the Timberwolves. The draft is always when big trades start to get more talk, as teams are more willing to consider putting in draft picks and that is why the Celtics, Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns were considered as options.
The Warriors balked at putting in Thompson and now the Wolves may wait until the season to trade him. Minnesota is getting into Dwight Howard and Carmelo territory, as they know Love wants to leave and he will do that in 2015 if he remains on the roster. Love has the opt out at his disposal and he is considered the top young big in the league. The Celtics come into things with the chance to make a splash, but so far they have not made a proposal and that could come once free agency shakes out. Danny Ainge wants to keep Rajon Rondo and making a Kevin Love trade is a good way to do that.
