Kevin Love is reportedly looking ahead. Really, really far ahead.
According to NBA.com’s Sam Smith, Love already has a list of preferred 2015 free-agency destinations that includes the Knicks and Lakers:
Now the Timberwolves face the issue teams have with LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard: Trade him now or this summer and get something? Try a sign and trade when he opts out after next season? Lose him? Utah traded Williams early and seems to have done well. Denver did reasonably well trading Anthony in midseason. But that clause to be traded and then extended for the maximum contract has been eliminated. Love, in the top four this season in scoring and rebounding, is said to be favoring the Lakers or the Knicks in free agency in 2015 when both will have money for perhaps two free agents. So is it even worth it to give up much given Love likely won’t extend with your team?
Admit it, you’re not surprised.
The Timberwolves superstar can become an unrestricted free agent after next season, at which point both the Knicks and Lakers figure to have serious cap space. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst even reported earlier that the Knicks were planning to target Love, among others, in 2015.
So no, you shouldn’t be surprised.
Love has spent his entire career in a small market. His ‘Wolves haven’t won more than 31 games since he entered the NBA, and he’s yet to see the light of the postseason. Reports of rifts between he and the organization, and even teammates, have also run rampant since then-general manager David Kahn refused to offer him a five-year contract extension. Love instead signed on for four, with a player option in the final year, which he is expected to decline.
Chances of him going to New York seem slim. Carmelo Anthony, who the Knicks desperately want to retain this summer, is best served at power forward, where Love also plays. Tinkering with the lineup when Andrea Bargnani, Kenyon Martin and Amar’e Stoudemire are the ones in flux is one thing. But Love is a superstar, which would force the Knicks to stick ‘Melo at the 3.
Los Angeles seems like a more likely landing spot. In fact, it seems like the likely landing spot.
Entering 2015-16, Kobe Bryant will be on the last year of his contract. The Lakers will need another star to headline their future, and who better then Love? He was born in California and attended UCLA. With the Lakers unlikely to land LeBron James or ‘Melo this summer, he makes too much sense as their next star.
Complicating matters will be Minny’s plans next season. If the Timberwolves don’t make the playoffs this year, and are on course for another middling finish next season, they could elect to trade Love. The Knicks by this point still won’t be flush with assets. The Lakers, however, have the opportunity to re-tool over the offseason, bringing in movable talents they could use to pry Love out of Minnesota before free agency.
Things can still change, of course. Summer 2015 is roughly 18 months away. The Timberwolves could make the playoffs. They could find a way to land another star themselves. Or Love could suddenly become happy. Nothing is written in stone.
That Love is already thinking ahead, though, indicates his future in Minnesota is in jeopardy. Written in sand, if you will.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
