Yahoo’s Marc Spears has an update on the Kevin Love trade front. The Kings want in and Love wants out by the start of free-agency:
The Kings are willing to give up their eighth overall pick in this year’s NBA draft and a combination of players for Love, even though he would not be expected to sign a contract extension before next season – if ever, with the rebuilding, small-market franchise, the source said. Sacramento envisions Love and DeMarcus Cousins playing alongside each other in the front court. Swingman Rudy Gay has a player’s option for next season.
The Kings know they’d have to gamble on convincing Love to re-sign, given that the franchise is rebuilding and Love is looking to play for a contender after never reaching the playoffs with the Timberwolves. Love’s suitors also figure to include a number of bigger markets, including the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls.
Love’s representatives with Excel Sports have pushed Timberwolves president Flip Saunders to find an acceptable trade prior to the start of free agency in July. Without a trade, Love plans to opt out of his contract in the summer of 2015 and likely leave Minnesota as a free agent.
This deal will happen by draft night (June 26). It was kind of Spears to include the Lakers in the list of suitors, even though they have no assets outside of the #7 pick.
As for Sacramento rolling the dice on dealing for Love sans an extension, good luck with that. Before you laugh off Sactown, know that they do have some assets to pull off a deal. I don’t see why Love would commit long term to a franchise that – aside from a 5 year span in the early 2000s – hasn’t done anything right.
Remember Carmelo Anthony? He’s the guy who was dominating the headlines before Love burst on the scene. He might be forced to return to NY and take a paycut:
Anthony’s potential decision to re-sign with the Knicks may be by default. Two of his prime candidates, Houston and Chicago, still have to get far enough under the salary cap to make it worth it for Anthony. The Bulls may have to rid themselves of Mike Dunleavy, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson on a squad that was knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. Plus, Anthony would be banking on the uncertain future of the oft-injured Derrick Rose.
The Rockets were also knocked out in the first round and need to get rid of Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik to get under the salary cap. Meanwhile, the Lakers have cap space, but sources maintain they aren’t too interested in Anthony as a fit with Kobe Bryant. Nor is Lakers president Jeanie Buss enthralled with stealing Anthony from Jackson, her fiancé.
Dallas is also said to be interested in Anthony but also has to get under the salary cap. The Knicks still remain strong favorites, even if Jackson isn’t off to a sizzling start.
It’s going to be a fun summer…
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