If they were all future, unprotected and therefore undetermined picks, I might agree. But we're talking about 14, 18, 27 and a future protected pick. Even if the draft fell perfectly for us and even if we were willing to use all four picks, I'm just not convinced we can get enough talent to make passing on Love worthwhile unless the Lakers pick turns into gold.
I'd be thrilled with a 2014 draft that landed us Harris or Young with our first pick, Payne with our second and someone like Capela with our 27th. Add a backup big man with our second round pick and I'd call that a very successful draft. But even then, I'd trade it and the Lakers pick along with the Morrises for an extended Love. Far too many rookies fail in this league to justify walking away from a guy that can give you 26 and 12.
Unfortunately, management doesn't want to use all four draft picks. Maybe they'll trade for future picks which makes sense but more likely they'll package the 14 and the 27 to move up a couple spots and grab someone like Stauskas. Then we'll probably draft Jerami Grant with the 18th pick and sell off the second rounder. Maybe it makes us a little better but now you're looking at basically choosing Stauskas and Markieff over Love.
I'd walk away from any Love deal if we couldn't get him under contract but otherwise I'd give up whatever they asked for minus the few pieces I've already suggested we hang onto (Dragic, Bledsoe and Len conditionally). Honestly though, I think this is all moot. The same reason that makes me willing to part with our four picks applies to Minnesota, they just aren't that valuable. Not to mention that Love has shown no interest in us, even indirectly.
Steve
