News regarding a trade for Kevin Love has quieted down since the start free agency. Many teams are waiting for players like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony to make their decisions first before then pursuing a trade for the Minnesota Timberwolves forward. However, one team looks like they could be removing themselves from the race altogether as the Boston Celtics appear no longer interested in a deal.
According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics are pulling their interest in a deal for Love, setting their focus on available free agents instead of trades. The Herald reports that after engaging in several trade negotiations, the Timberwolves and Celtics have not spoken in weeks and likely will not for the remainder of the offseason. Boston was considered a frontrunner for a deal for Love after offering a package that could include Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger, but the interest is no longer there.
The Celtics looked to be pulling out of the deal after the opted to use their No. 6 draft pick on Marcus Smart instead of including it in the trade package. The Boston Herald believes that the only way discussions for the team pick back up is if Minnesota lowers their return demands for the forward. Until then, Love is not headed to Boston.
The Chicago Bulls could still be a player in a deal, but only if they fail to land Anthony. The Bulls are still banking on signing the guard in free agency, but Anthony opts to sign with the Knicks or Lakers, the Bulls could be preparing to sell the house and go for Love. ESPN.com originally reported Chicago put together a trade package that included Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler. Gibson was then taken out of negotiations because of Anthony, but if the guard is not an option then Gibson likely goes back on the trade market for Love.
There is a good chance that Love goes nowhere this offseason. The forward might not have any intentions of re-signing with the Timberwolves, but the chances that Minnesota gets a team to give up future first round picks is pretty slim. If the Celtics are not interested like the Herald is reporting then the return demands by Minnesota are likely too high to meet right now. Instead, teams like Boston are setting their focus on players like Lance Stephenson and others.
