The Kevin Love sweepstakes are in full effect, and many teams are gearing up trade packages that will bring the All-Star to their respective teams. Love will be a free agent in the 2015 season, and he wants out of Minnesota pronto.
As a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves Love has had a lot of individual success, but no team success. Love has been named to the All-Star team three times, named most improved player as well as being named to the All-NBA second team twice. Love is a walking 20-10 player, but his stats doesn’t necessarily translate to wins. Love has yet to will his team to the playoffs, and he has never played on a team where they have won more than 40 games.
I know that Love plays in the brutal Western Conference, but when you are perceived as a “superstar” you have to deliver for your team in other ways. A lot teams have created some absurd trade proposals for Love, and I think that some teams should think twice. Teams such as the Celitcs, Nuggets, and other teams that were out of playoff contention are offering draft picks as well as young players with loads of potential. I understand Love may arguably be the best power forward in the NBA, but if he goes to a middle of the pack team the reward for trading for him may only grant you an eighth seed in either the Eastern or Western conference.
If traded Love will have to go to a team that already has a star. The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors come to mind, because Love can come in to be a second or third option. Love shouldn’t be the best player on your team, but he is a great second or third option. Falling in Love is always risky, and in this case it may not be worth the risk depending on which team you are. I know Love can put up insane numbers, but when you play on a bad team somebody has to score and rebound.
If I were a team’s GM I wouldn’t empty my cupboard for a player that will not guarantee a long-term commitment. It will be interesting to see how things shake up. The question you have to ask some of these NBA teams is, what would you do to trade for Kevin Love? It seems like teams are willing to do a lot to fall in Love, but in this case it could lead to fatal attraction.
