Kevin Love apparently had himself one heck of a weekend in Boston.
Love, who is believed to have informed the Timberwolves that he plans to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Timberwolves to become an unrestricted free agent in 2015, was spotted all over the city that the 17-time NBA champion Celtics call home.
The Boston Globe has all the meaty details, and it begins with a conversation Bill Fairweather, owner of “The Greatest Bar” in Boston had with Love when the Wolves’ All-Star power forward walked in unannounced.
“Is the deal done?” Fairweather asked, hoping for good news.
Love laughed and shook his head. “No,” he said.
But over the next few hours, the two talked plenty about Boston and the Celtics.
“It went great,” Fairweather told the Globe on Sunday. “The kid is a real gentleman. I think he has a real appreciation with the Celtics’ history and tradition.”
The rest of Love’s trip included taking in a Red Sox game at Fenway Park where he met up with Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. The two were spotted and this photo quickly went viral.
Need to see these guys together @kevinlove @RajonRondo #collectingdimes #breakingbackboards pic.twitter.com/aJz1aEvEqJ
— Big Dub (@BigDub74) June 1, 2014
Before the game, Love grabbed a bite to eat at Cask ‘N Flagon, a sports bar across the street from Fenway Park.
.@kevinlove making the rounds in #Boston, including the official Fenway restaurant of #DiningPlaybook @CasknFlagon pic.twitter.com/o8pI3PQI0a
— Dining Playbook (@DiningPlaybook) June 2, 2014
Patriots party animal and tight end Rob Gronkowski got involved, too.
Kevin Love's visit to Boston went next level. Looks like Gronk was involved. (photo via @barstoolsports) pic.twitter.com/3srrHPvsN2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 2, 2014
The flirting continued when former Twins slugger David Ortiz sent Love this tweet.
Yo @kevinlove if you need advice on moving from Minnesota to Boston just let me know #CityOfChamps
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) June 1, 2014
Ortiz played six season with the Twins before joining the Red Sox in 2003. Ironically enough, Love has played six seasons for the Timberwolves.
Fairweather said the underlying message Love continuously went back to during their 90-minute conversation was that he just wants to win – something he hasn’t accomplished with the Wolves.
Wolves President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders reiterated on Sunday that he fully expects Love to be playing in Minnesota next season.
Boston is considered a potential trading partner if the Wolves do indeed decided to deal Love, whom they could ultimately lose for nothing if they don’t trade him.
The Celtics own the sixth and 17th picks in the first round of the June 26 NBA Draft and 10 first-rounders over the next five years.
