The NBA trade deadline will strike at 2 p.m. Thursday and the rumors about Kevin Love going here or there were flying around late Tuesday night, but Love tried to squash the speculation that he would rather play in Los Angeles than Minnesota.
“People think it’s so far-fetched that I would stay in Minnesota. And I’m not s—— on the Lakers, but we have the better team, the better foundation. I’m having fun,” the All-Star power forward told GQ.
Love spent some time with GQ to upgrade his “rugged swag feel” with his unkept beard and messy hair. GQ gave him a bit of an upgrade.
Meanwhile, trade rumors were swirling on Tuesday about Love possibly being dealt to the Mavericks or Lakers before Thursday’s deadline. As it turns out, Dallas owner Mark Cuban basically shut the door on the Mavericks making a move.
“If you read about it, you know it’s not true. I don’t know if we got the Beach Boys booked, “Cuban said, via the Star Tribune. “Mark Cuban squashes crazy Kevin Love speculation.”
Pro Basketball Talk’s Kurt Helin has a similar perspective, but one that doesn’t rule out Love eventually playing elsewhere.
Minnesota’s man in charge Flip Saunders isn’t going to move Love at the deadline. Maybe this summer (if Love says he’s gone as a free agent), but more likely Saunders will massage the roster hoping for a Portland-like turnaround that will swing Love back toward staying in Minnesota. Saunders’ tip priority is to keep him. But a year from now, if Minnesota isn’t winning and winning a lot, Saunders may have no real choice but to deal.
Another rumor to keep an eye on is the one that would swap Minnesota’s J.J. Barea and Chase Budinger for Grizzlies veterans Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince. The latest news says a deal could be on the way.
The Grizzlies and Timberwolves have gained momentum on a deal that would send Tayshaun Prince and Tony Allen to Minnesota, sources say.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) February 19, 2014
