MacMullan: Love-to-Celtics far from slam dunk

[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.

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

My fear about the wait and see approach is if we are bad and Rondo decides that he is not going to stay with us next year. Then we would be the ones forced to make a trade at the deadline for suboptimal value.

[Larry for 3]

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.

How would you determine that? Based on what? Are we drafting Lebron James with #6? Can we at least get through training camp first? I'm all about trading young players for top vets, that's what wins in this league.  I'm not too keen about waiting years for rookies to may or may not develop.  If i have to I will, but it's not my first choice.

[Tr1boy]

"The Timberwolves privately maintain they already have fielded better offers from other teams, among them the Chicago Bulls, who can offer draft picks and some combination of Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson along with Carlos Boozer"

http://espn.go.com/boston/story/_/id/11033627/kevin-love-landing-boston-celtics-far-slam-dunk

Plus they also can offer mirotic. Beats the possible celts offer if the wolves dont want to start from scratch

[hpantazo]

"The Timberwolves privately maintain they already have fielded better offers from other teams, among them the Chicago Bulls, who can offer draft picks and some combination of Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson along with Carlos Boozer"

http://espn.go.com/boston/story/_/id/11033627/kevin-love-landing-boston-celtics-far-slam-dunk

Plus they also can offer mirotic. Beats the possible celts offer if the wolves dont want to start from scratch

This is standard posturing by the Twolves. I'm sure they don't prefer the Bulls offer of a lesser pick and lesser prospects, and a European player who may never come over to play for them.

Just last night you stated with emphasis that Love would never promise to extend or resign to any team he gets traded to, and that has already been prove wrong this morning. Love will chose his team, and there is no indication that he has any interest in Chicago. He has already stated that he would extend if traded to Boston.

Also, a few days ago you celebrated Saunders posturing statement that Love would play for Minny next season and it looks like you have already accepted that that is not happening. Saunders accepted it by taking on the job of head coach.

[Tr1boy]

He does like the bulls, gs per rumors. And its believable

Its not bos or la and thats it

[hpantazo]

Sullinger , Olynyk, and the 6th pick beats any offer any other team can make besides Cleveland's #1 pick, and Love would not resign in Cleveland so I don't see them offering the #1 pick. I'm sure Ainge is lowballing the wolves and will raise his offer as needed.

[RJ87]

"The Timberwolves privately maintain they already have fielded better offers from other teams, among them the Chicago Bulls, who can offer draft picks and some combination of Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson along with Carlos Boozer"

http://espn.go.com/boston/story/_/id/11033627/kevin-love-landing-boston-celtics-far-slam-dunk

Plus they also can offer mirotic. Beats the possible celts offer if the wolves dont want to start from scratch

They can offer the rights to Mirotic, no guarantee he comes over if he's traded to Minny.

[hpantazo]

He does like the bulls, gs per rumors. And its believable

Its not bos or la and thats it

If we are going by unsubstantiated rumors, then great, we are also getting Melo and Asik along with Love then .

[indeedproceed]

He does like the bulls, gs per rumors. And its believable

Its not bos or la and thats it

People are gonna believe what they want to believe, but personally I think that there is a pretty low chance that Minnesota moves Jimmy Butler and Mirotic, along with Taj Gibson. It completely guts their team, leaving only...Mike Dunleavy? outside of an unknown in Rose and a all-nba but limited leader in Joakim Noah.

The Bulls offer I imagine will rather include Boozer, Mirotic, and any kind of trove of draft picks they can muster.

I think around 90% or 100% of the stuff coming out of Chicago is complete garbage, either planted by Minnesota to drive up the price, or planted by Chicago to make it seem like they're making a token effort on Love.

[Fafnir]

He does like the bulls, gs per rumors. And its believable

Its not bos or la and thats it

People are gonna believe what they want to believe, but personally I think that there is a pretty low chance that Minnesota moves Jimmy Butler and Mirotic, along with Taj Gibson. It completely guts their team, leaving only...Mike Dunleavy? outside of an unknown in Rose and a all-nba but limited leader in Joakim Noah.

The Bulls offer I imagine will rather include Boozer, Mirotic, and any kind of trove of draft picks they can muster.

I think around 90% or 100% of the stuff coming out of Chicago is complete garbage, either planted by Minnesota to drive up the price, or planted by Chicago to make it seem like they're making a token effort on Love.

I think Chicago is going to push hard for Melo and Love. I just don't think they have a good enough package for Love. Not unless every one else is lowballing things.

[D.o.s.]

He does like the bulls, gs per rumors. And its believable

Its not bos or la and thats it

People are gonna believe what they want to believe, but personally I think that there is a pretty low chance that Minnesota moves Jimmy Butler and Mirotic, along with Taj Gibson. It completely guts their team, leaving only...Mike Dunleavy? outside of an unknown in Rose and a all-nba but limited leader in Joakim Noah.

The Bulls offer I imagine will rather include Boozer, Mirotic, and any kind of trove of draft picks they can muster.

I think around 90% or 100% of the stuff coming out of Chicago is complete garbage, either planted by Minnesota to drive up the price, or planted by Chicago to make it seem like they're making a token effort on Love.

Love Noah and Rose could be a fantastic core, assuming Rose comes back at even 75% of the player he was.

[hpantazo]

He does like the bulls, gs per rumors. And its believable

Its not bos or la and thats it

People are gonna believe what they want to believe, but personally I think that there is a pretty low chance that Minnesota moves Jimmy Butler and Mirotic, along with Taj Gibson. It completely guts their team, leaving only...Mike Dunleavy? outside of an unknown in Rose and a all-nba but limited leader in Joakim Noah.

The Bulls offer I imagine will rather include Boozer, Mirotic, and any kind of trove of draft picks they can muster.

I think around 90% or 100% of the stuff coming out of Chicago is complete garbage, either planted by Minnesota to drive up the price, or planted by Chicago to make it seem like they're making a token effort on Love.

Love Noah and Rose could be a fantastic core, assuming Rose comes back at even 75% of the player he was.

That's a huge assumption, considering he looked awful last season before sustaining another terrible knee injury.

[More Banners]

I suppose Minny may not want to start from scratch either, and prefer BOTH Sully and KO, plus #6, as the beginning of their conversation.  If they take Green as well, they could have an entirely new lineup starting with Rubio next season...

And if I had Asik in the bag on the other line for Bass, #17, and the Clips or Philly pick(s), I go for it.

Flip needs to figure out what he'll have before figuring out who he needs for a coach.

[Tr1boy]

I suppose Minny may not want to start from scratch either, and prefer BOTH Sully and KO, plus #6, as the beginning of their conversation.  If they take Green as well, they could have an entirely new lineup starting with Rubio next season...

And if I had Asik in the bag on the other line for Bass, #17, and the Clips or Philly pick(s), I go for it.

Flip needs to figure out what he'll have before figuring out who he needs for a coach.

If your the wolves do you want gibson, butler, mirotec and a 1st you can use with your 13 to possibly get a to 8 pick anyways
Or sullimger and 6th??

Which players made the playoffs last season?? Mirotic if he was avail at this draft is a top 5 talent also

Bulls have a leg up over the celts. Im happy other teams want love

[RJ87]

I suppose Minny may not want to start from scratch either, and prefer BOTH Sully and KO, plus #6, as the beginning of their conversation.  If they take Green as well, they could have an entirely new lineup starting with Rubio next season...

And if I had Asik in the bag on the other line for Bass, #17, and the Clips or Philly pick(s), I go for it.

Flip needs to figure out what he'll have before figuring out who he needs for a coach.

If your the wolves do you want gibson, butler, mirotec and a 1st you can use with your 13 to possibly get a to 8 pick anyways
Or sullimger and 6th??

Which players made the playoffs last season?? Mirotic if he was avail at this draft is a top 5 talent also

Bulls have a leg up over the celts. Im happy other teams want love

1.) Who says that's actually what the Bulls are offering? Given how stingy their ownership is, I have a hard time believing they're putting all of their assets into the Kevin Love basket. The Gibson+Butler+Rights to Mirotic+16+19 was likely taken from a Blog a Bull post and people are running with it.

2.) Mirotic is a huge curveball. He can get bought out of his contract and come over this summer OR if his rights are traded, he can stay in Real Madrid. He's got a lot of power in this situation as well.

3.) If Mirotic can't be worked out, a package around Butler and Gibson is good but it's not a slam dunk either. Rubio-Martin-Butler-Gibson-Pek is interesting but does it get the near 50 wins needed to make the playoffs in the West? Those mid first round draft picks might help, but they'd probably have to hit 2 of the 3 picks out of the park.

4.) If they do manage to make the playoffs next year, they lose their 2015 to Phoenix so they'll have no way to improve their roster until 2016 barring another big trade.

So yes, on paper, the Bulls are an interesting trade partner but far from the perfect trade that you're projecting.