NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers' Pursuit of Kevin Love Is a Dream That Won't Come True

According to The New York Post's Peter Vecsey, the Los Angeles Lakers have been showing some serious interest in possibly acquiring Minnesota Timberwolves big man Kevin Love, offering Pau Gasol to the Wolves in a trade after the Chris Paul deal was nixed.

But in reality that move just isn't happening. Why would the Wolves even be interested in making such a move? 

The Lakers seem to think they have the ability to bring in the players they want, but they seem to be dreaming. The potential move for love just makes no sense. Why would the Wolves be interested in taking on a player like Pau Gasol, who is ages older then Love? 

The Lakers have the right idea, but they just are not targeting feasible targets for the assets they maintain.

Love is becoming one of the premier big men in the NBA, while Gasol is becoming one of the most unreliable players. He often is criticized for being too soft, which isn't far from the truth.

Gasol is a talented player, but he doesn't possess the power that a player like Love or many other big men have. The trade just wouldn't make sense for the Wolves.

The Lakers are stuck in a fantasy world ever since they made the trade for Gasol. The fact is, they got away with robbery. Their acquisition of Gasol involved them trading away virtually nothing, but in reality a trade like that will never work out again.

Sure, Marc Gasol panned out, but nobody saw that coming. The additions of Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and Aaron McKie were ridiculous. Many would have to wonder why the Memphis Grizzlies even made that move.

Now, the Lakers feel that the Love would be the best fit for their team. They were thinking the same about the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard, as well as now Los Angeles Clipper Chris Paul.

In the end, those potential deals haven't happened because the Lakers just don't have the pieces to make the moves.

Landing Gasol the way they did, virtually giving up nobody, just doesn't seem realistic in any potential move for Love. The Wolves don't need anymore younger pieces, and they likely see Gasol as a downgrade.

Nobody wants Metta World Peace. Some would take Gasol, but likely without giving up someone as significant as Love. The only tradable piece is Andrew Bynum, but his durability is always in question.

If healthy, he could perhaps be the key to what the Lakers need.

This season, Bynum is averaging 22.7 points and 17 rebounds per game. It remains to be seen if he can keep those numbers up, but why in the world would the Lakers even want to part with him?

The thing is, they don't, and that is why a trade will never work. Especially for a guy like Love.

One could understand why the Timberwolves would be interested in adding a guy like Gasol, as they are one of the youngest teams in the league. Still, one could argue that Love has enough experience to actually provide the veteran leadership they need.

You don't always have to get a veteran to provide that type of leadership.

Love is a special player, and that is why there is such an appeal to get him. Love still has a year after this one remaining on his contract, but he has never displayed any desire to want to move.

Why would he, anyway?

The Wolves are in position to potentially be a special team. With rookie point guard Ricky Rubio and power forward Derrick Williams, this is a team that could make some noise for years to come. If Wesley Johnson can develop into a consistent threat, this team will be able to kill at all angles.

While it doesn't look to be a perfect picture just yet, there is something brewing in Minnesota. They are getting all the right pieces, and the addition of coach Rick Adelman is definitely sending them into the right direction.

If Rubio can develop into an elite PG, who knows how far the tandem between him, Love and Williams can go?

The Lakers had a nice idea, but it will remain just a dream.