What would you give for Kevin Love

[JCSunsfan]

Did you read Foul!? Interesting stuff. I think Hawkins had already peaked before he finally made it to the Suns and the NBA.

For anybody that hasn't read it, it's one of the all-time great sports books:
http://www.amazon.com/Foul-The-Connie-Hawkins-Story/dp/0030860210

I did read it, years ago, when I was in high school.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Okay, so here's how it goes down. The Coach, believing that with Goran already in hand he's just a Kevin Love away from winning it all, starts talking up the importance of making a deal with Minnesota. The GM, having overheard that a championship will follow if he can just acquire Kevin Love, sends Dragic and 5 first rounders to Minnesota. And there you have it - the prescription for a mediocre future but the outline for a pretty decent O. Henry story.

Steve

Or we get one year with all of them and then in the summer of 2015 both opt out and we are left with an empty cupboard like the Lakers after Dwight.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Or we get one year with all of them and then in the summer of 2015 both opt out and we are left with an empty cupboard like the Lakers after Dwight.

That still sounds like the outline for an O. Henry story. I know it's all the fashion to do so but I really don't worry about Goran opting out and leaving. I think he wants us to want him. But Love is a different story. I'd almost say pass just to avoid the possibility we give away assets for a one-year stand.

Steve

 

[KloD]

I read that Love wants Golden State or Chicago and it's unknown how he feels about Phoenix. He wants to go to a team with a chance to win, that leaves NY and LA out. They have nothing to offer. GS and Chicago don't have the draft picks, but they do have some players that may be to Minnesota's liking. I guess it depends on what they are looking for, youth in the form of draft picks or would David Lee or Noah be more to their liking? I thnk the Suns (if that's their competition) could offer maybe Frye, A resigned Tucker, maybe Goodwin and a number of draft picks. Maybe not, but I don't see how the other teams could put together a package of Vets, youth, and picks, but I also havent' given this more than 5 min. of thought.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Love has to be willing to stay long term. He has to want to be here. Or its just a no-deal. It was the height of arrogance for the Lakers to think that resigning Dwight was a slam-dunk. This Suns team should make no such presumptions.

We have to build on the Spurs model. Get solid players who want to be here. Don't get caught up in the drama of the big prima donna FA. Keep everyone here as happy as possible. Keep continuity and chemistry intact.

 

[PDXChris]

I read that Love wants Golden State or Chicago and it's unknown how he feels about Phoenix. He wants to go to a team with a chance to win, that leaves NY and LA out. They have nothing to offer. GS and Chicago don't have the draft picks, but they do have some players that may be to Minnesota's liking. I guess it depends on what they are looking for, youth in the form of draft picks or would David Lee or Noah be more to their liking? I thnk the Suns (if that's their competition) could offer maybe Frye, A resigned Tucker, maybe Goodwin and a number of draft picks. Maybe not, but I don't see how the other teams could put together a package of Vets, youth, and picks, but I also havent' given this more than 5 min. of thought.

Chicago would not give up Noah for Love. Noah is the heart and soul of the Bulls, just finished 4th in MVP voting and was DPOY. Because of that, there is no way a deal gets done unless Minny is willing to take Boozers deal at 1 year and 15 million or takes Taj Gibson, Sign and Trade of Nikola Mirotic and both first round picks. Then we would probably still have to throw in Jimmy Butler or Tony Snell just to make the salaries match.

Honestly, I would rather take my chances with amnestying Boozer and then signing Nikola Mirotic, going after Lance Stephenson and then trying to find a SG and Big to back up Noah in the draft. Also, if Miami parts with Wade, there is always a home for him in Chicago.

If I were Love, I would love to land in Phoenix.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Chicago would not give up Noah for Love. Noah is the heart and soul of the Bulls, just finished 4th in MVP voting and was DPOY. Because of that, there is no way a deal gets done unless Minny is willing to take Boozers deal at 1 year and 15 million or takes Taj Gibson, Sign and Trade of Nikola Mirotic and both first round picks. Then we would probably still have to throw in Jimmy Butler or Tony Snell just to make the salaries match.

Honestly, I would rather take my chances with amnestying Boozer and then signing Nikola Mirotic, going after Lance Stephenson and then trying to find a SG and Big to back up Noah in the draft. Also, if Miami parts with Wade, there is always a home for him in Chicago.

If I were Love, I would love to land in Phoenix.

I think Love looks at Chicago and Golden State as being just a little closer to contending than Phoenix. I doubt that he's giving much thought to what will be left once a deal is done. Once that comes into play, we might get a little more interesting for him.

Steve

 

[PDXChris]

I think Love looks at Chicago and Golden State as being just a little closer to contending than Phoenix. I doubt that he's giving much thought to what will be left once a deal is done. Once that comes into play, we might get a little more interesting for him.

Steve

I think the same can be said for Chicago too. Removing Noah would create a pretty big void in the middle of that team.

 

[Bert]

reports are that he only wants to play for the Lakers or Knicks (big surprise, the two largest markets in the league).

I am so not buying this. Not directed at you ofcourse I know you are just posting what the media rumors are, but all these media guys are so freaking obsessed with NY and LA right now. It was like Steve Kerr, they ALL said that Golden State had ZERO chance at getting Kerr because obviously he would pick the Knicks because who wouldn't pick the Knicks over the Warriors right?

I've come to the conclusion that all these "reports" are just guys talking out of their asses trying to get themselves to trend on twitter.

 

[KloD]

Chicago would not give up Noah for Love. Noah is the heart and soul of the Bulls, just finished 4th in MVP voting and was DPOY. Because of that, there is no way a deal gets done unless Minny is willing to take Boozers deal at 1 year and 15 million or takes Taj Gibson, Sign and Trade of Nikola Mirotic and both first round picks. Then we would probably still have to throw in Jimmy Butler or Tony Snell just to make the salaries match.

Honestly, I would rather take my chances with amnestying Boozer and then signing Nikola Mirotic, going after Lance Stephenson and then trying to find a SG and Big to back up Noah in the draft. Also, if Miami parts with Wade, there is always a home for him in Chicago.

If I were Love, I would love to land in Phoenix.

I'd agree with that where Chicago is concerned. That and Minn. is pretty set at center, at least salary wise. I don't think they have the assets for a trade like that, at least not one that couldn't easily be beat by the Suns or Matched by the Warriors.

This should be an interesting summer in the NBA.

 

[KloD]

I am so not buying this. Not directed at you ofcourse I know you are just posting what the media rumors are, but all these media guys are so freaking obsessed with NY and LA right now. It was like Steve Kerr, they ALL said that Golden State had ZERO chance at getting Kerr because obviously he would pick the Knicks because who wouldn't pick the Knicks over the Warriors right?

I've come to the conclusion that all these "reports" are just guys talking out of their asses trying to get themselves to trend on twitter.

Agreed. LA and NY have nothing to offer in trade and neither are going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Agreed. LA and NY have nothing to offer in trade and neither are going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

not sure how a lottery pick is "nothing", especially when Love has the team over a barrel.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You don't trade Dragic to get Love. You just don't.

At the very least, these two have to be on the team together in the aftermath of a trade. These guys were meant to play together. A Dragic/Love pick and roll/pop would become legendary. It would be the Stockton/Malone of the new age.

it wouldn't even be close to Stockton/Malone because Love doesn't attack the hoop or roll the way Malone used to.

 

[KloD]

not sure how a lottery pick is "nothing", especially when Love has the team over a barrel.

Are you suggesting a lottery pick is enough? They have nothing else, nothing. If he wants to go to a team that will contend any time in the foreseeable future, nothing. I don't agree he has them "over the barrel". They don't have to deal him this summer, let alone before the draft. Minnesota has had how many lottery picks and what has that gotten them? I obviously don't know what they want in return, but I highly doubt they would take a 1 lottery pick for Love. That's the kind of trade a Laker fan would suggest and most of us would laugh at it IMO.

EDIT: If I remember correctly, the Lakers wouldn't even have the cap space to take him before the draft. They would in July and could agree to a trade and make the pick for Minn., but sorry... the idea is just too absurd for me to continue the thought.

 

[Superbone]

I did read it, years ago, when I was in high school.

That's when I read it too, JC.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Are you suggesting a lottery pick is enough? They have nothing else, nothing. If he wants to go to a team that will contend any time in the foreseeable future, nothing. I don't agree he has them "over the barrel". They don't have to deal him this summer, let alone before the draft. Minnesota has had how many lottery picks and what has that gotten them? I obviously don't know what they want in return, but I highly doubt they would take a 1 lottery pick for Love. That's the kind of trade a Laker fan would suggest and most of us would laugh at it IMO.

EDIT: If I remember correctly, the Lakers wouldn't even have the cap space to take him before the draft. They would in July and could agree to a trade and make the pick for Minn., but sorry... the idea is just too absurd for me to continue the thought.

Absurd? Give me a break with that crap. Do you remember what the Lakers gave up to get Dwight Howard? Me neither. Point is, if a player of that kind is desperate to go somewhere (like Howard was or Melo was), AND they'll be a FA the next season when that somewhere has cap space, they can and will use that to their advantage.

 

[slinslin]

The only was I would trade for Love is if it leaves us with enough cap room to sign at least 1 more star player.
I am not convinced that Love makes us so much better, to the point that we might struggle just like his Twolves teams that underperformed every season.

If we could get Love and then make a FA play for Lebron James to join Bledsoe, Dragic and Love then yeah go for it.

 

[Superbone]

If we could get Love and then make a FA play for Lebron James to join Bledsoe, Dragic and Love then yeah go for it.

It's free to dream, right?

 

[KloD]

Absurd? Give me a break with that crap. Do you remember what the Lakers gave up to get Dwight Howard? Me neither. Point is, if a player of that kind is desperate to go somewhere (like Howard was or Melo was), AND they'll be a FA the next season when that somewhere has cap space, they can and will use that to their advantage.

Yes, absurd. There are several teams willing to give up so much more than 1 lottery pick. Melo essentially demanded a trade to NY as he refused to sign an extension with anyone else and Denver got far more than 1 lottery pick. Love hasn't even asked for a trade at this point, he's only let them know he won't resign with them. The rumors so far don't have Love saying the only place he'll sign is LA, he wants to go to a team that is close to contending or already there. I've seen GS and Chicago mentioned. Both of those teams have far more to offer in trade and in talent. Of course I'd like to think the Suns have a chance to get him, but as of now it's unknown if he'd be interested or if they have what Minn. is looking for. Unless Kevin Love demands a trade to LA, and even then I don't see them accepting 1 lottery pick for him. So give me a break with that crap, it sounds like a Laker fans arrogant fantasy and I know you are not a Laker fan so your suggestion is bewildering to me.

 

[Phrazbit]

Just as a refresher, the Lakers gave up Bynum, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and a top 5 protected 2017 pick. It might not seem like much but Bynum at that point was healthy and viewed as the 2nd best center in the league.

It was an insanely complicated trade that at the time looked like Orlando got screwed but in the end it was LA and Philly who got bent over and Orlando got a heist. Their total haul was Moe Harkless, Nikola Vučević, Al Harrington, Arron Afflalo, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga, three first round picks and two second round picks.

I agree with KloD, the Lakers do not have the ammo to pull off that kind of trade again. They will not get Love via trade. They're tapped out on trading picks (they dont have a first to trade until 2019) and they have basically zero quality assets on their roster. They're such a disaster that their best asset for the moment is probably Nash's expiring contract.

 

[sunsfan88]

If I were Love, I would love to land in Phoenix.

Now we just need to find a way to get this stuck in his head

 

[sunsfan88]

Just as a refresher, the Lakers gave up Bynum, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and a top 5 protected 2017 pick. It might not seem like much but Bynum at that point was healthy and viewed as the 2nd best center in the league.

It was an insanely complicated trade that at the time looked like Orlando got screwed but in the end it was LA and Philly who got bent over and Orlando got a heist. Their total haul was Moe Harkless, Nikola Vučević, Al Harrington, Arron Afflalo, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga, three first round picks and two second round picks.

I agree with KloD, the Lakers do not have the ammo to pull off that kind of trade again. They will not get Love via trade. They're tapped out on trading picks (they dont have a first to trade until 2019) and they have basically zero quality assets on their roster. They're such a disaster that their best asset for the moment is probably Nash's expiring contract.

The Lakers can trade their lottery pick this year on draft day and that will be their biggest bargaining chip.

 

[Phrazbit]

The Lakers can trade their lottery pick this year on draft day and that will be their biggest bargaining chip.

Its their only barganing chip, and if you're the Lakers and its in the top 2 or 3 are you really sure you even want to trade it for Love? And if you're the Wolves and its NOT in the top 3 and the Lakers are offering that and basically nothing but cap filler there is no way you'd accept it for Love.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Does Love's contract allow him to nix any trade he doesn't like? If it doesn't, he can still accomplish the same thing by saying he won't sign a new deal with the proposed team that is trying to trade for him.

That way, he can just wait it out and sign as a free agent with the team he wants. That's a win win because the team he signs with won't be depleting itself to acquire him.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Its their only barganing chip, and if you're the Lakers and its in the top 2 or 3 are you really sure you even want to trade it for Love? And if you're the Wolves and its NOT in the top 3 and the Lakers are offering that and basically nothing but cap filler there is no way you'd accept it for Love.

Yep. If its a top 3 pick, its too much to trade for Love, if its not, its probably not enough to get Love, and the Lakers do not really have any other assets. Love's got two ways to get to LA.

1. Force Minny into taking peanuts for him, but if I am Minny, I would rather wait and claim the cap space.
2. He can wait and leave as a FA.

If the Lakers do trade a top 3 pick for Love, I think it hurts their chances of signing a FA. Not sure about their cap position exactly, but Kobe and Love together have to be between 45 and 50 million, and they still have alot tied up in Nash.