Flips Rips C's Fans

[oldtype]

I think it's pretty clear that this is Love and his agent trying to force Minnesota's hand. Obviously Flip is not going to be happy about it.

It's almost comical how visible he's made himself this weekend. If it was just "checking out" one of his potential destination he'd maintain a much lower profile. He clearly wants to come to Boston and is burning his bridges with Minny to force them to trade.

If I was a T-Wolves fan I'd be livid. As a Celtics fan? Woohoo!

[Ogaju]

 E X A C T L Y

He made a very public visit. He is in!!!

[Smokeeye123]

June 26th cant come soon enough. Love or not i dont want to be rooting for the celtics to tank next season. I bet we can give the heat a better run than the pacers did.

[D.o.s.]

As long as he doesn't wear 42, I guess I can go all in.

[Rondo9]

I think you should all tone it down. Who knows, maybe Love might go to Golden State.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I think you should all tone it down. Who knows, maybe Love might go to Golden State.

I think I'm the only one here who would not mind it, at all.

[cman88]

McHale said the same thing about KG back in 2007. Flip has to say what he needs to as GM

[LarBrd33]

From what I understand, Love can't sign an extension right now.  He's under contract for 2014-15 and has a player option for 2015-16.  It's not until next season that he could sign an extension, right?

My info is based on comments on this forum, but from what I understand, a team that trades for Love could make the trade contingent on Love opting in for that 2nd season.   Since he can't sign an extension, getting him to agree to opt-in for  year 2 is the best any potential trade partner can hope for.

It could still end up being a risky 2 year rental, but at the very least you'd have a bit of a buffer... worst-case scenario if things aren't working out, you could just explore trading him next summer (since he'd be under contract for another season).

So my guess is this Boston trip was related to that opt-in.  Love may have told his agent that there were a couple teams he'd be willing to opt-in for (such as the Lakers).   But perhaps he was on the fence about Boston.  He doesn't really know the city and hadn't visited it before.  They set up the trip a couple weeks ago.  Love has been in communication with Rondo and they made sure they were both in Boston at the same time.  This was likely just an exploratory trip set up by Love's agent.  It gives him a chance to feel out the city, contemplate the Celtics and see if he'd be willing to opt in for a 2nd year upon being traded there. 

That doesn't mean the Wolves will trade him.  That doesn't mean the Wolves will trade him to Boston.  That doesn't mean Boston even has the best offer.  But assuming Love and his agent give the green light on opting in for that 2nd year, Ainge could feel comfortable offering up assets without worrying about it merely being a 1 year rental.   The more teams that Love is willing to do that 2015-16 opt-in for, the more teams the Wolves can negotiate with over the next months.  If Love decides that he doesn't like BOston and isn't willing to commit to 2 years there, Ainge doesn't really need to waste his time... because he knows he'd be more than likely just getting a 1 year rental.


This is still probably a long way from being over, though.  Other teams will have competitive offers... and maybe Love decided a while ago that he was comfortable opting in for some of those teams.

[SHAQATTACK]

He has years to think and stew on being trapped in no mans land Minn....home the Bigfoot and Blizzards.

When you step up as a celeb an announce your leaving to the world .   Your leaving ,  maybe not for the Celtics ...but you ve had enough and are though .

He has kinda burnt his bridge with the team announcing wanting out.   It's one thing for a role player to leave , but you star is another .

If I'm the new coach , you don't want his impending leaving limbo status to mess up my rebuild and chemistry.

At this point , he is not good for the wolves, not good for him to stay as he finally let his true feelings out.

If I'm the TWolf GM ,   Let it go , get the biggest haul possible and move on.  Save the imbarrassment of begging somebody to stay .... Like the Laker s and Howard .....that was pathetic .

He is itching to leave ,  don't want him hanging around Minn if I'm the GM up there.

Sooner he leaves Minn the better for them ,no matter where he goes.

[Tr1boy]

From what I understand, Love can't sign an extension right now.  He's under contract for 2014-15 and has a player option for 2015-16.  It's not until next season that he could sign an extension, right?

My info is based on comments on this forum, but from what I understand, a team that trades for Love could make the trade contingent on Love opting in for that 2nd season.   Since he can't sign an extension, getting him to agree to opt-in for  year 2 is the best any potential trade partner can hope for.

It could still end up being a risky 2 year rental, but at the very least you'd have a bit of a buffer... worst-case scenario if things aren't working out, you could just explore trading him next summer (since he'd be under contract for another season).

So my guess is this Boston trip was related to that opt-in.  Love may have told his agent that there were a couple teams he'd be willing to opt-in for (such as the Lakers).   But perhaps he was on the fence about Boston.  He doesn't really know the city and hadn't visited it before.  They set up the trip a couple weeks ago.  Love has been in communication with Rondo and they made sure they were both in Boston at the same time.  This was likely just an exploratory trip set up by Love's agent.  It gives him a chance to feel out the city, contemplate the Celtics and see if he'd be willing to opt in for a 2nd year upon being traded there. 

That doesn't mean the Wolves will trade him.  That doesn't mean the Wolves will trade him to Boston.  That doesn't mean Boston even has the best offer.  But assuming Love and his agent give the green light on opting in for that 2nd year, Ainge could feel comfortable offering up assets without worrying about it merely being a 1 year rental.   The more teams that Love is willing to do that 2015-16 opt-in for, the more teams the Wolves can negotiate with over the next months.  If Love decides that he doesn't like BOston and isn't willing to commit to 2 years there, Ainge doesn't really need to waste his time... because he knows he'd be more than likely just getting a 1 year rental.


This is still probably a long way from being over, though.  Other teams will have competitive offers... and maybe Love decided a while ago that he was comfortable opting in for some of those teams.

Some nice points.  Love has several teams im sure he wouldnt mind playing for and would opt In for 2015-2016

The wolves dont want sully and randle/gordon/smart in return for love imo. They want thompson, beal or a top 3 pick. If they get one of these offer, they will pull the trigger. If not If I was flip I would wait this thing out, make love suffer, and trade him until you get the best deal or until the trade deadline. 

[Casperian]

I think it's pretty clear that this is Love and his agent trying to force Minnesota's hand. Obviously Flip is not going to be happy about it.

It's almost comical how visible he's made himself this weekend. If it was just "checking out" one of his potential destination he'd maintain a much lower profile. He clearly wants to come to Boston and is burning his bridges with Minny to force them to trade.

Yeah, and notice how most of the pictures which circulated on the interwebs were taken with black kids, or latinos, or a kid from Lebanon...

Should be obvious what's going on here.

[Larry for 3]

From what I understand, Love can't sign an extension right now.  He's under contract for 2014-15 and has a player option for 2015-16.  It's not until next season that he could sign an extension, right?

My info is based on comments on this forum, but from what I understand, a team that trades for Love could make the trade contingent on Love opting in for that 2nd season.   Since he can't sign an extension, getting him to agree to opt-in for  year 2 is the best any potential trade partner can hope for.

It could still end up being a risky 2 year rental, but at the very least you'd have a bit of a buffer... worst-case scenario if things aren't working out, you could just explore trading him next summer (since he'd be under contract for another season).

So my guess is this Boston trip was related to that opt-in.  Love may have told his agent that there were a couple teams he'd be willing to opt-in for (such as the Lakers).   But perhaps he was on the fence about Boston.  He doesn't really know the city and hadn't visited it before.  They set up the trip a couple weeks ago.  Love has been in communication with Rondo and they made sure they were both in Boston at the same time.  This was likely just an exploratory trip set up by Love's agent.  It gives him a chance to feel out the city, contemplate the Celtics and see if he'd be willing to opt in for a 2nd year upon being traded there. 

That doesn't mean the Wolves will trade him.  That doesn't mean the Wolves will trade him to Boston.  That doesn't mean Boston even has the best offer.  But assuming Love and his agent give the green light on opting in for that 2nd year, Ainge could feel comfortable offering up assets without worrying about it merely being a 1 year rental.   The more teams that Love is willing to do that 2015-16 opt-in for, the more teams the Wolves can negotiate with over the next months.  If Love decides that he doesn't like BOston and isn't willing to commit to 2 years there, Ainge doesn't really need to waste his time... because he knows he'd be more than likely just getting a 1 year rental.


This is still probably a long way from being over, though.  Other teams will have competitive offers... and maybe Love decided a while ago that he was comfortable opting in for some of those teams.

Some nice points.  Love has several teams im sure he wouldnt mind playing for and would opt In for 2015-2016

The wolves dont want sully and randle/gordon/smart in return for love imo. They want thompson, beal or a top 3 pick. If they get one of these offer, they will pull the trigger. If not If I was flip I would wait this thing out, make love suffer, and trade him until you get the best deal or until the trade deadline.

Except the longer you wait his value continues to go down. At the deadline, his value is WAY down, everybody knows he's gonna walk, no one is going to give up good assets for a  2 month rental.  Then Minnesota just hurt their franchise by not maximizing Love's value. They're not stupid, I think.

[GreenWarrior]

I think you should all tone it down. Who knows, maybe Love might go to Golden State.

I can't imagine Golden State offers them a package that will make Minn. competitive next yr. unless they think clay Thompson is a guy you can build around.

boston is the place that has the best package for Minn. the only way Minn doesn't do a deal with us is if they're still bitter about KG.

[cman88]

I think you should all tone it down. Who knows, maybe Love might go to Golden State.

I can't imagine Golden State offers them a package that will make Minn. competitive next yr. unless they think clay Thompson is a guy you can build around.

boston is the place that has the best package for Minn. the only way Minn doesn't do a deal with us is if they're still bitter about KG.

the thing is, I doubt Golden state would give up Clay Thompson. not to mention they are in the same conference as the Timberwolves. The bulls dont have much to offer...then that leaves you with the celtics who have 10first round picks over the next 5 years and some young players they can send back to the timberwolves

[sed522002]

He's so subtle....