NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Info from Around the League on Potential Deals
The Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love and his potential suitors are dominating the NBA trade rumor scene.
It seems unlikely Love and the Wolves can work out a way for the star power forward to stay in Minny.
Part-owner and new head coach Flip Saunders seemingly threw down the gauntlet with this comment, per ESPN.com: "You're either part of the problem, or part of the solution."
With that, it appears it's only a matter of time before there's fire accompanying all the smoke, as almost every team in the league has had a rumor attached to it in regards to acquiring Love.
The rumors are coming hot and heavy, and the two latest have come from Western Conference teams.
Denver's Rumored Deal is Fair
Per Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, the Denver Nuggets have offered an impressive trade package for Love.
Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler and potentially the Orlando Magic's Arron Afflalo are a nice haul, but without the draft pick, the move doesn't offer much for the Wolves' future.
Minnesota isn't exactly a hotbed for free agents, so securing picks should be paramount.
Golden State Might Be the Leader in the Clubhouse
If the following rumor tweeted by ESPN's Chris Broussard is true, the Golden State Warriors have the most attractive offer we've seen.
Klay Thompson is a budding star, and Love is really David Lee 2.0.
Minnesota would still have its first-round pick as well to make itself better. Golden State would seemingly have two superstars if you regard Love as such.
If Andrew Bogut remains healthy, a starting five of Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, Love and Bogut sounds pretty awesome, and having Kevin Martin coming off the bench would only make them all the more solid on paper.
If it happens, this is quite a starting lineup for new head coach Steve Kerr.
Bulls Seemingly Willing to Pull Out All the Stops for Melo
How much do the Chicago Bulls want to bring Carmelo Anthony to town? Pretty bad.
Per Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Bulls are willing to part ways with both of their first-round picks to clear up cap space for Melo.
In order for the Bulls to add Melo, it's pretty obvious they have to move Carlos Boozer via trade or the amnesty clause. The first option would be preferable, as it would allow the Bulls to clear the space without obligation to any portion of the final year on Boozer's contract.
Here's something to consider: If the Warriors can package Thompson and Lee to Minnesota for Love, couldn't the Bulls come up with a similar offer?
Is Thompson and Lee a better offer than one that includes Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler, Tony Snell, Carlos Boozer and the Bulls' two first-round picks?
According to the ESPN Trade Machine, the deal adds up financially.
Boozer is going to come off the books, so the Wolves would still enjoy the financial freedom they would have when Love walked at the end of next season.
Gibson and Butler could help change the team's defensive identity. Obviously, the two first-round picks are helpful for the rebuild.
The Bulls would have a starting lineup of Derrick Rose, Martin, a small forward to be named later, Love and Joakim Noah.
By also cutting Mike Dunleavy's deal, the Bulls might still be able to offer a non-embarrassing offer to Anthony. It's a dream, but as a major-market team, the Bulls need to think big.
Follow me on Twitter.
