Kevin Love is staying?
No.
Kevin Love is going?
No.
Wait a second, so nobody really knows what the heck is happening with Kevin Love?
Exactly.
Bottom line at this point is that anything could happen with Love. From reports saying Minnesota’s trade talks with Golden State are dead and won’t be revived, to reports that Derrick Rose prefers Love over Carmelo Anthony, all anyone really knows is that this Love roller coaster is still operating.
THE LATEST
According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, via Sports Illustrated, Chicago has offered power forward Taj Gibson, small forward Tony Snell and the 16th and 19th picks in Thursday’s draft for Love.
Is that a good offer? “Decent,” according to Pro Basketball Talk’s Dan Feldman, who thinks Minnesota might be better off waiting for the trade deadline next season to move the 25-year-old All-Star.
USA Today’s Sam Amick doesn’t believe any talks with Golden State are “dead.” Shooting guard Klay Thompson might be off the table, but:
But if the Warriors were indeed so hell-bent on keeping Thompson, they could (and may have) offered forward David Lee, small forwards Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes and the first-rounder and feel as if that’s about as good as it will get for the Timberwolves.
Grantland’s Zach Lowe wrote an awesome column on why the Warriors shouldn’t be so concerned about losing Thompson. To simplify, Lowe says losing Thompson will hurt the Warriors, but keeping him isn’t worth losing out on Love.
Meanwhile, here’s what’s happening in the mock draft world.
MOCK DRAFT: SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
GARY HARRIS, MICHIGAN STATE – “Kevin Martin has been lumped into talks with Golden State about a deal for Kevin Love, which could create a hole at the two-guard spot. Harris struggled with his shot last season but is a rugged defender who seems capable of rediscovering the strong shooting numbers he put up as a freshman. He has been dogged by injuries though, which NBA teams have some concern about.”
MOCK DRAFT: NBA.COM
ADREIAN PAYNE, MICHIGAN STATE – “Payne’s development as a 3-point shooter his junior and senior seasons make him a good fit with the Wolves. Plus, he gives them badly-needed Love insurance. Payne is a first-rate guy for a franchise that doesn’t need any more drama. Whether Love stays this season or not, he’s certainly not going to be in Minny for the long haul. Taking Payne now gives the Wolves at least a credible four for the future.”
MOCK DRAFT: CBS SPORTS
RODNEY HOOD, DUKE – “Hood spent his one season at Duke totally overshadowed by Parker. But the Mississippi State transfer developed into a reliable shooter on the wing, shooting 42 percent from 3-point range.”
MOCK DRAFT: SPORTING NEWS
ADREIAN PAYNE, MICHIGAN STATE – “The Timberwolves are still ramping up for a possible trade of power forward Kevin Love, and that, obviously, affects what they do with this pick. But Payne has impressed the Wolves, and they’re considering him in this spot.”
MOCK DRAFT: USA TODAY
RODNEY HOOD, DUKE – “Let’s put aside the Kevin Love situation. The Timberwolves have not had consistency at small forward since Wally Szczerbiak was hobbled by injuries a decade ago. Hood can score in a variety of ways and would be a great fit with Ricky Rubio and Nikola Pekovic.”
