We at PBT danced around this a little earlier talking about how Minnesota is willing to make moves to win now in an effort to put a winner around Kevin Love so he will not leave.
It’s a long, long ways off, but in the summer of 2015 Love will be the premiere free agent. Thanks to the ineptitude of former GM David Kahn (who refused to offer Love a five-year max extension because he wanted to save the one long deal he has for his favorite Ricky Rubio, so Love pushed to get an opt-out after three years in a four-year deal) Love has the ability to and is expected to opt-out that summer.
The Knicks, who are off to a slow start this season with questions about their roster construction, have as priority No. 1 re-signing Carmelo Anthony this summer (which is likely but not a lock). How they keep him is telling him of their plans for Love, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
Almost assuredly, Love will exercise his early termination option in two years and take a strong look at where the free-agent landscape stands with the T’wolves. He could re-sign a longer, richer deal with Minnesota, or chase big-market platforms in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and perhaps elsewhere….
The suitors promise to be plentiful for Love in two years, which is why the Knicks are already brainstorming his pursuit, sources said. Between now and July free agency, the Love pursuit will be part of New York’s hard sell to Anthony. The Knicks are a mess now, but the mirage never changes: always a salvation on the way at the Garden, always a championship parade headed down the Canyon of Heroes.
While it’s too early to know how things will shake out, we do know Love will be very, very popular in a couple of summers.
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak has said he expects the process of attracting the team’s next star to pair with Kobe Bryant — and take the torch from him — would take a few years. A lot of Lakers fans have their eyes on Love. The Chicago Bulls could lose Luol Deng this summer and by 2015 will have Carlos Boozer off the books. Derrick Rose will be there as the draw and with just a couple smart moves they could have the cap space to go after Love (and still have some talent on the roster). It is possible Dallas and other teams will be in the mix also.
Of course, if the Timberwolves are a potential contender (and they have a good core right now) it would be hard to walk away. Plus Minnesota can offer the largest contract out there.
Then of course don’t forget the Knicks, they are going to be at the forefront of this parade. At least that’s the dream they are selling right now.