Another day, another new team that is rumored to be the frontrunner in the Kevin Love sweepstakes. The Golden State Warriors, as expected, are the top competition for the Boston Celtics in the pursuit of Kevin Love, and today things got interesting. The Warriors have offered David Lee and Klay Thompson for Love, Kevin Martin and JJ Barea. Golden State sees the opportunity to add Love and move Harrison Barnes into the lineup to replace Thompson. In theory, there is no dropoff for the Warriors at small forward and they replace David Lee with Kevin Love, which is a huge upgrade. If you think Love is bad on defense, wait until you watch David Lee.
This would validate the report that Minnesota wants NBA veterans in return for Love, but this new rumor stinks of posturing. Why would the Timberwolves, a team that hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2005, trade their franchise player and other assets to a direct competitor in the stacked Western Conference? There are eight precious playoff spots and if Minnesota helps one of those eight from 2013/14 improve, they are doing a disservice to themselves and their fans. Considering this new report and applying logic to these rumors, this sounds like a direct message to Boston that they aren’t getting Love without providing a veteran that they can immediately put in their lineup. I’m assuming Boston doesn’t have the guy they want, so it may be time to get a third team involved. Here are a couple possible deals:
Trade Scenario #1- Boston, Minnesota and Orlando
Boston Receives– Kevin Love, Magic 2014 2nd Round Pick, T’Wolves 2015 & 2016 2nd Round Picks
Minnesota Receives– Aaron Afflalo, Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, 2014 #6 Pick, #17 Pick, Boston 2017 1st Round Pick
Orlando Receives– Jeff Green, Kelly Olynk, Boston 2015 1st Round Pick, LA Clippers 2015 1st Round Pick
Some may look at this deal and think Orlando is getting the lower end of the return, but Aaron Afflalo has already talked about wanting to be traded and Orlando is in full rebuild mode anyways. Adding Green will make up for lost scoring, Olynk is still improving and they get two 1st round picks next year. Minnesota gets the proven young NBA star in Afflalo and replace Love in the frontcourt with the up and coming Sullinger. Avery Bradley would also be a good young piece for the Wolves and they also get the three 1st round picks they coveted. The Celtics end up with Love, possibly JJ Barea, and three 2nd round picks. Everyone wins and the money works.
Trade Scenario #2- Boston, Minnesota, Detroit
Boston Receives– Kevin Love, Detroit 2014 2nd Round Pick, Minnesota 2015 2nd Round Pick
Minnesota Receives– Greg Monroe, Jeff Green,Boston 2014 #17 Pick, Boston 2015 1st Round Pick, LA Clippers 2015 1st Round Pick, Brooklyn Nets 2018 1st Round Pick
Detroit Receives– Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynk, Avery Bradley, 2014 #6 Pick, Boston 2016 1st Round Pick
Again, it looks like Detroit is getting the raw end of the deal, but they actually get quite the haul for Greg Monroe, a player that most likely will be traded this summer. The Pistons end up with Boston’ top pick because Minnesota gets a true young big in return, not to mention three first round picks and a good bench scorer in Jeff Green. The Celtics get their guy, albeit after surrendering five 1st round picks and a few good, young players.
All of these rumors will be just rumors until something comes to fruition, but when it comes to trade talk, it is important to remember that the trade has to benefit all the franchises involved. Both of these deals would benefit all three teams involved and would allow the Timberwolves to possibly compete with Golden State instead of handing them a guaranteed playoff spot next season and beyond.
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