MacMullan: Love-to-Celtics far from slam dunk

[csfansince60s]

The Bulls do have a fairly decent offer in Gibson, Butler, and a first. If I was Love I would be estatic about playing alongside Noah. He would be the ideal compliment to Love's game...But maybe he likes Boston more? No idea why in this case but hey, Ill take it.

Maybe he's wary of the Bulls situation because of the uncertainty that Rose will ever be the force that he was.

[hpantazo]

The Bulls do have a fairly decent offer in Gibson, Butler, and a first. If I was Love I would be estatic about playing alongside Noah. He would be the ideal compliment to Love's game...But maybe he likes Boston more? No idea why in this case but hey, Ill take it.

Maybe he's wary of the Bulls situation because of the uncertainty that Rose will ever be the force that he was.

I also wonder if Mirotic would even come over to the NBA if it's to play in Minny

[Fafnir]

Merging this with the other MacMullan thread, as RealGM is just parroting her report.

[RJ87]

The Bulls do have a fairly decent offer in Gibson, Butler, and a first. If I was Love I would be estatic about playing alongside Noah. He would be the ideal compliment to Love's game...But maybe he likes Boston more? No idea why in this case but hey, Ill take it.

Maybe he's wary of the Bulls situation because of the uncertainty that Rose will ever be the force that he was.

Also don't forget that Bulls ownership is notoriously cheap - hence the Luol Deng trade. Maybe he worries they won't spend to build a true contender?

[Fafnir]

On Chicago's potential trade offers. It all depends on what Minnesota thinks of Mirotic (assuming he's being offered).

Butler/Gibson are very good role players but that's it and their first round picks will be low ones with Love/Noah on the team.

[D.o.s.]

Merging this with the other MacMullan thread, as RealGM is just parroting her report.

I came in here to post something snarky about how RealGM was saying its a done deal and 'who is this Jackie MacMullan, anyway' and 'oh, so this is one of those reliable sources'...

And you've ruined it. RUINED IT.

[D.o.s.]

You have to play desperate to win in this league.  Those who have the skills and also are willing to pay the price are usually the champions.  Look at Bird. He was so talented, yet so scrappy and thats why he was a champion and considered a great player. Dennis Rodman obviously lacked elite skills but he was willing to kill himself at times it looked like to win.  I really admire and respect players these kind of players and they usually get rewarded

Also, what?

[Evantime34]

Some thoughts on this:

1. When Love visited Boston I thought there were one of two reasons for it. Either the deal was done and he wanted to check out the city or the Wolves haven't seemed eager to deal him so he was making a power play to show them that he will leave. After MacMullan's article I'm convinced it's the latter.

2. That he is interested in signing an extension here is huge. I know most of us would like to have him on the team immediately but an additional year of playing time can only help our assets. If we can play well without Love then add him without giving up any pieces it would be great for the franchise.

3. If Love is willing to sign an extension with us, then if we can't trade for him I want the Kings to. If he is going to be dealt to another team (not the Celtics) then I want it to be a team that he will leave after a year.

4. Maybe the Wolves ride it out and reopen the trade discussions closer to the deadline. The longer they wait the less leverage they have, meaning we could potentially get him at the deadline for a discount.

[Fafnir]

4. Maybe the Wolves ride it out and reopen the trade discussions closer to the deadline. The longer they wait the less leverage they have, meaning we could potentially get him at the deadline for a discount.

I worry about this because the primary asset we have to trade for him is the 6th draft pick. If we take a player they don't covet or that player doesn't perform in the first half well (or gets hurt) our bid is probably DOA.

That's why I'm hoping that a deal is done during the off season.

[Evantime34]

4. Maybe the Wolves ride it out and reopen the trade discussions closer to the deadline. The longer they wait the less leverage they have, meaning we could potentially get him at the deadline for a discount.

I worry about this because the primary asset we have to trade for him is the 6th draft pick. If we take a player they don't covet or that player doesn't perform in the first half well (or gets hurt) our bid is probably DOA.

That's why I'm hoping that a deal is done during the off season.

That makes sense. My only counter would be since the Wolves have proven semi inept at drafting maybe the guy we draft looks better than the guy they initially wanted after half a year.

[cman88]

Some thoughts on this:

1. When Love visited Boston I thought there were one of two reasons for it. Either the deal was done and he wanted to check out the city or the Wolves haven't seemed eager to deal him so he was making a power play to show them that he will leave. After MacMullan's article I'm convinced it's the latter.

Or, its one of the teams he has on his short list to go to Since we know the Celtics are one of the teams looking to make a play at Love and he wants to Check out the city and see if it is somewhere he could envision himself playing. MacMullans article did state the C's are one team he would sign an extension with

another thing we have over the Bulls is that the C's management has shown they will spend to build a contendor. The Bulls have shown to be cheap and possibly could even force Thibs out the door.

[gpap]

I tell ya, all this speculation has gotten to the point where I just hope we find out soon enough whether Love is coming here or not.

I want it happen, but if it doesn't, at least we'll have our answer and can then move onto the next step.

Personally, even if Love doesn't get dealt here, I think we should go shopping for another big time player (either via free agency or trade.)

[Fafnir]

4. Maybe the Wolves ride it out and reopen the trade discussions closer to the deadline. The longer they wait the less leverage they have, meaning we could potentially get him at the deadline for a discount.

I worry about this because the primary asset we have to trade for him is the 6th draft pick. If we take a player they don't covet or that player doesn't perform in the first half well (or gets hurt) our bid is probably DOA.

That's why I'm hoping that a deal is done during the off season.

That makes sense. My only counter would be since the Wolves have proven semi inept at drafting maybe the guy we draft looks better than the guy they initially wanted after half a year.

Yeah there is upside and downside risk.

[Moranis]

4. Maybe the Wolves ride it out and reopen the trade discussions closer to the deadline. The longer they wait the less leverage they have, meaning we could potentially get him at the deadline for a discount.

I worry about this because the primary asset we have to trade for him is the 6th draft pick. If we take a player they don't covet or that player doesn't perform in the first half well (or gets hurt) our bid is probably DOA.

That's why I'm hoping that a deal is done during the off season.

That makes sense. My only counter would be since the Wolves have proven semi inept at drafting maybe the guy we draft looks better than the guy they initially wanted after half a year.

or maybe that guy is so good we no longer want to trade him for Love.  That would be ideal frankly.

[Fafnir]

4. Maybe the Wolves ride it out and reopen the trade discussions closer to the deadline. The longer they wait the less leverage they have, meaning we could potentially get him at the deadline for a discount.

I worry about this because the primary asset we have to trade for him is the 6th draft pick. If we take a player they don't covet or that player doesn't perform in the first half well (or gets hurt) our bid is probably DOA.

That's why I'm hoping that a deal is done during the off season.

That makes sense. My only counter would be since the Wolves have proven semi inept at drafting maybe the guy we draft looks better than the guy they initially wanted after half a year.

or maybe that guy is so good we no longer want to trade him for Love.  That would be ideal frankly.

Yeah if he's suddenly as good as Love (or on track to be) on a rookie deal that'd be great. The odds of that are incredibly low however, hence why I really hope a deal is done before the draft.

Either land Love or he gets to another team and we can move on with the franchise's plans.