The Kevin Love trade rumors are the biggest story in the NBA this offseason and teams like Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns are all interested and players like Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Klay Thompson, Jeff Green, Goran Dragic or Tyson Chandler could potentially get traded in a deal with the Timberwolves.
Love has been one of the most consistent players in the league over the past few years and he has earned his extension money, as he is now a double-double machine and it's only a matter of time before he gets out of Minnesota, whether it be as a free agent or in a trade. According to ESPN.com, the Warriors are willing to put Klay Thompson in their trade package and that could be what puts the team over the edge for that deal, as they have David Lee and other players to move as well.
The Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets are going after Carmelo Anthony as well and those teams will need to move players like Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin to clear enough space along with Carlos Boozer for the Bulls. Chicago is reportedly willing to consider trading Joakim Noah, and that is a chance from the past, as Chicago thinks they can lure one major star to the Bulls to play with Derrick Rose. The Wolves do not want to trade Love, but he wants to test the market and this could be the best chance for the team to trade him before it gets too late into the season.
Michael Wilbon on ESPN wrote and spoke about how the longer the Wolves wait, the worse off their trade package will be, as they will lose leverage since everyone knows Love wants to opt out. The Celtics feel like they have a chance to make the deal, as they have enough players and first round picks to make the Wolves happy. The Bulls and Rockets are in the mix, while the Knicks and Lakers likely do not have enough to use in a trade to get the Wolves to pull the trigger. Love has not made the playoffs since being in Minnesota and that is one reason why he wants to play elsewhere.
Love would be open to the Golden State Warriors as well and the Lakers have long been considered an option because of his ties to Los Angeles. The Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns have the first round picks to make a deal and that puts the two of them in position to try as well. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Saunders said he will not get a better deal than what the Celtics give and that could be an option for both sides. Love visited the city this summer and played some ball with Rajon Rondo and the Celtics could look at blowing up the long term future to get back some short term success with Love. Teams are hoping that Love will sign a long term extension after being traded and that could be the key to a deal.
