Kevin Love visited Boston last weekend, and he had pleasant meeting with the team. Love welcomes a trade to the Celtics and he is also open to signing a long-term deal with the team. Love is willing to consider a trade to Boston followed by an extension.
This instantly led to speculation that Carmelo Anthony would also be willing to join the Celtics to create a new big three of Rondo, Love, and Anthony.
However, this dreamy idea has been shot down by the Minnesota Timberwolves as they are not too impressed with Boston’s offer for Love. The Celtics could offer their sixth overall pick along with their seventeenth overall pick this year and a future Brooklyn pick in which they own from the Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett trade. The Celtics would also throw in a combination of Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and Brandon Bass.
Apparently, the sixth overall pick is not too amusing for Minnesota, which may also throw the Los Angeles Lakers out of any possible trade since their offer would involve their seventh overall pick.
The Timberwolves claim they already have fielded a better offer from the Chicago Bulls, who can offer draft picks and a combination of Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson along with Carlos Boozer and his $16.8 million contract which expires next season. Boozer’s expiring contract would create a lot of cap space for the Timberwolves next season, and that is something that they really crave.
Minnesota is in no hurry to make a decision on its All-Star forward. They will wait as much as they have to knowing that they can pay Love $26.5 million more than any other team once he becomes a costless agent in 2015.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have also expressed interest in Love and have the number one overall pick, but the feeling is not mutual.
As a side note, when Kevin Garnett was dealt to Boston in 2007, Kevin McHale was in charge of the trade and is good friends with Danny Ainge. However, Flip Saunders and Danny Ainge are not as close, and this situation is not similar.
Aside from Boston and Chicago, Golden State, Phoenix, Houston, and the Lakers still remain interested in Kevin Love. Also, the Sacramento Kings are interested and will trade for Love without assurance that he will re-sign.