Isn't Boston a front runner to land Love if he leaves the Cavs ?

[Donoghus]

I don't think so.

I wasn't thrilled with the idea of acquiring him last summer and probably even less inclined to acquire him now with the current construct of this Celtics team.  I don't think you bring him in to be THE guy and that's what he'd have to be if he came in given what the roster looks like.   

[C-Green]

So, the big question is, do we want to build around a guy who seemingly cares more about putting up empty stats than he does winning?

Who says he doesn't care about winning? Shaq was a winner, he and Kobe didn't get along thus ultimately leading to him leaving. Very similar situation Shaq forced his way out of a winning team because he didn't like playing with Kobe. Love leaving because he doesn't like playing with LeBron instantly makes him someone that doesn't care about winning?

It's not just not liking to play with Lebron, although he seems to be almost unprecedented in that regard.  Unlike Kobe, guys love playing with Lebron; I can't remember another player saying anything bad about him.

But, it goes beyond that.  Love has been known to be prickly.  He alienated his teammates in Minnesota, too, and hasn't made an attempt to fit in in Cleveland, according to reports.  On the court, he's played basically zero defense, and just isn't showing effort.

I don't want a whiny, one-way crybaby on my team, and it's looking more and more like that's who Kevin Love is.  I definitely wanted him over the summer, but he hasn't done himself any favors.



Exactly! TP for you!

[D.o.s.]

I know when I spoke to Jackie Mac she stated that she believes Love is staying, however a lot of people in an around NBA circles are pointing towards Love winding up with the Lakers with Rondo.  And Rondo taking a discounted deal as well.  LA may try a sign and trade as well with Julius Randle involved.  This would also save the Lakers another max slot for 2016.  Draw your on conclusions from there.

A lot of people in NBA circles apparently don't understand how the salary cap works if your statement is true..  Lakers will have about $24 million in salary to split between Love and Rondo.  If Love gets his $19 million, this leaves $5 million for Rondo.  There's discount, and then there's that.  Not happening.

A lot of people in NBA circles don't understand how the salary cap works. Just ask Tim Connelly and Kenneth Faried.

I don't think so.

I wasn't thrilled with the idea of acquiring him last summer and probably even less inclined to acquire him now with the current construct of this Celtics team.  I don't think you bring him in to be THE guy and that's what he'd have to be if he came in given what the roster looks like.

Agreed.

[Roy H.]

So, the big question is, do we want to build around a guy who seemingly cares more about putting up empty stats than he does winning?

Who says he doesn't care about winning? Shaq was a winner, he and Kobe didn't get along thus ultimately leading to him leaving. Very similar situation Shaq forced his way out of a winning team because he didn't like playing with Kobe. Love leaving because he doesn't like playing with LeBron instantly makes him someone that doesn't care about winning?

It's not just not liking to play with Lebron, although he seems to be almost unprecedented in that regard.  Unlike Kobe, guys love playing with Lebron; I can't remember another player saying anything bad about him.

But, it goes beyond that.  Love has been known to be prickly.  He alienated his teammates in Minnesota, too, and hasn't made an attempt to fit in in Cleveland, according to reports. On the court, he's played basically zero defense, and just isn't showing effort.

I don't want a whiny, one-way crybaby on my team, and it's looking more and more like that's who Kevin Love is.  I definitely wanted him over the summer, but he hasn't done himself any favors.

But you want Demarcus Cousins? HA.....

Cousins has been an excellent defender this year.  For instance, he's top five in defensive "real" plus-minus.

[ddb]

Guys, the writing is on the wall for Love to sign in LA with the Lakers.  Everyone knows that's where Love wants to be.  He can say whatever he wants.  At the end of the day, Love will be a Laker.  Cleveland is dumb for doing the Wiggins 4 Love trade.

Not only will LA land Love.  But they will also likely have a Top 5 pick (potentially Top 3).  You can bet your a$$ they will offer that pick (even #1) along with Randle and future picks in an attempt to trade for Westbrook. 

Westbrook-Kobe-Love is their dream scenario, and once Kobe hangs them up the Lakers will be able to sign another top flight Free agent. 

[slamtheking]

Bos ( Love has already visited Boston, we have tons of assets to build around him if he wants
to  be the go to guy )

is he though?  He couldn't carry a team alone in Minny and he's showing to be a less-than-compatible piece playing with other top players in Cleveland.

[Celtics4ever]

No, we are not a frontrunner.   I bet he goes to LA.

http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/46454/20150319/cleveland-cavaliers-rumors-kevin-love-pushes-la-lakers-ny-knicks-free-agency-deals-lebron-james-kyrie-irving-drama-kobe-bryant-carmelo-anthony-recruit.htm

He is from there, can be the man after Kobe retires, nice weather.   I think he does not choose us but I think we are lucky in that regard as he does not play D and has been exposed some this year.   Sometimes things happen for a reason.

LA will take their pick, play Randle, sign Love and Rondo and have a team for Kobe's final tour.   I think it will falter some and not work out for them but that is what I see happening.

[slamtheking]

Guys, the writing is on the wall for Love to sign in LA with the Lakers.  Everyone knows that's where Love wants to be.  He can say whatever he wants.  At the end of the day, Love will be a Laker.  Cleveland is dumb for doing the Wiggins 4 Love trade.

Not only will LA land Love.  But they will also likely have a Top 5 pick (potentially Top 3).  You can bet your a$$ they will offer that pick (even #1) along with Randle and future picks in an attempt to trade for Westbrook. 

Westbrook-Kobe-Love is their dream scenario, and once Kobe hangs them up the Lakers will be able to sign another top flight Free agent. 

OKC is not trading Westbrook and certainly not to the Lakers.  Lakers may make a push for Rondo if they get Love and Kobe's sure to return.  Kobe doesn't want to play with a score-first PG.

[Csfan1984]

1 LAL
2 NYK
3 BOS
4 CLE
Anything can happen to change the order such as LAL or NYK getting Towns or Okafor. Also CLE winning title. It's all up in the air I feel.

[scotto1205]

I think they woulda been better off just keeping wiggins. Irving wiggins Lebron thompson and mozgov would be pretty dominat I'd imagine not only this year but for ages to come even when ole born bron cals it quits.

[Evantime34]

So, the big question is, do we want to build around a guy who seemingly cares more about putting up empty stats than he does winning?

I think the C's still want to build through the draft. If they can supplement their assets by signing a big name player to a contract, why not do it.

To me it's less about building around one player rather than adding a player to help attract other free agents and allow draft picks to ease into their roles.

No, we are not a frontrunner.   I bet he goes to LA.

http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/46454/20150319/cleveland-cavaliers-rumors-kevin-love-pushes-la-lakers-ny-knicks-free-agency-deals-lebron-james-kyrie-irving-drama-kobe-bryant-carmelo-anthony-recruit.htm

He is from there, can be the man after Kobe retires, nice weather.   I think he does not choose us but I think we are lucky in that regard as he does not play D and has been exposed some this year.   Sometimes things happen for a reason.

LA will take their pick, play Randle, sign Love and Rondo and have a team for Kobe's final tour.   I think it will falter some and not work out for them but that is what I see happening.

I'm pretty sure with LA's cap situation they can sign either Rondo or Love, not both. I agree they will sign one of the 2 though.

[Moranis]

So, the big question is, do we want to build around a guy who seemingly cares more about putting up empty stats than he does winning?

Who says he doesn't care about winning? Shaq was a winner, he and Kobe didn't get along thus ultimately leading to him leaving. Very similar situation Shaq forced his way out of a winning team because he didn't like playing with Kobe. Love leaving because he doesn't like playing with LeBron instantly makes him someone that doesn't care about winning?

It's not just not liking to play with Lebron, although he seems to be almost unprecedented in that regard.  Unlike Kobe, guys love playing with Lebron; I can't remember another player saying anything bad about him.

But, it goes beyond that.  Love has been known to be prickly.  He alienated his teammates in Minnesota, too, and hasn't made an attempt to fit in in Cleveland, according to reports.  On the court, he's played basically zero defense, and just isn't showing effort.

I don't want a whiny, one-way crybaby on my team, and it's looking more and more like that's who Kevin Love is.  I definitely wanted him over the summer, but he hasn't done himself any favors.

I live in Cleveland and the most common theory is that Love is really injured (back), but doesn't want to just shut it down like he probably should, which is contributing a great deal to his poorer play and more generally prickly attitude.

[GetLucky]

I'm not sure, but if we can get him, why not? At worst, he's a better shooting and rebounding version of Kelly Olynyk. He is almost putting up 20-10 in a "down year." Those are still pretty remarkable numbers. So what he doesn't get along with LeBron? One more reason to like him. The vibe I get from Love is that he needs to be in a happy, stable environment to get the most out of him. The Celtics could be that team.

That, and I'm really tempted to see an Isaiah Thomas-Kevin Love screen and pop.

[Bosstown]

I don't even want Love anymore. I'm good with the youth...Love just seems like a selfish player who can't take a backseat for the sake of the team. Don't want him

[Quetzalcoatl]

I don't even want Love anymore. I'm good with the youth...Love just seems like a selfish player who can't take a backseat for the sake of the team. Don't want him

Because he is a super star elite offensive threat.  At the end of the games, we would have him and IT both needing to be double covered.  The main reason (aside from lack of talent) that we are so bad this year is that we were 4-11 in games decided by 3 points or less in the final minute before the Green trade.  Who should have been taking shots on the Wolves when he was there?  Now he is being benched in crunch time so LeBron can get the ball - there isn't really any evidence to back up the "selfish" player angle.  If anything, this season has completely disproved that.  He's been completely underutilized there and all he gives is positive press about it for the good of the team.  His numbers are down for the good of the team.

Anyways, we are a contender for him because most of the teams with cap space already have a PF they like.  It's basically going to come down to us, the Lakers or the Cavs.