*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (14 Viewers)

[Celph Titled]

Thompson doesn't really "pass" the ball either.

 

[Celph Titled]

Too early to fire Steve Kerr?

 

[mr fancypants]

My projected draft day scenario trade would be D.Lee,Thompson, & H. Barnes going to the wolves for Love, JJ.Barea & the 13th pick in the draft.

 

[Juxtatarot]

My projected draft day scenario trade would be D.Lee,Thompson, & H. Barnes going to the wolves for Love, JJ.Barea & the 13th pick in the draft.

Laughably bad.

 

[Gr00vus]

Herds mock draft:

Cleveland - Jabari Parker

Bucks - Andrew wiggins

Sixers - embid

Magic - exum

Jazz - mcbuckets

Boston - Noah

Lakers - smart

Kings - saric

Hornets - Gordon

Philly - rAndle

Denver - white michigan shooting guard

Orlando - Levine

Wolves - hood

Phoebix - young

Keep seeing Randle dropping to 10. Id be happy with that.

I don't think the Lakers pass on Randle if he's there for them at 7 (certainly not for Smart even though COlin keeps thinking the Lakers are interested in Smart). The Lakers would also probably take Gordon over Smart as well.

 

[mr fancypants]

My projected draft day scenario trade would be D.Lee,Thompson, & H. Barnes going to the wolves for Love, JJ.Barea & the 13th pick in the draft.

Laughably bad.

Your entitled to your opinion.

 

[Abraham]

That's awful for the wolves.

 

[mr fancypants]

That's awful for the wolves.

My whole reasoning comes that the wolve's don't have a lot to work with. Love has already made his decision to move on from them. The Wolve's are basically looking at getting the best that they can knowing that Love can leave unrestricted next year. Anyone who thinks the wolves are in control are delusional, Love is control of where he wants to go..

 

[pollardsvision]

Fancypants, the point is all parties have options and some leverage here.

GSW doesn't have all the leverage because they can't sign him outright, and we don't know what the other offers.

Keeping Love for the season and hoping for the best is a realistic option.

In the NBA, "getting nothing" is not the worst thing in the world.

 

[datonn]

That's awful for the wolves.

My whole reasoning comes that the wolve's don't have a lot to work with. Love has already made his decision to move on from them. The Wolves are basically looking at getting the best that they can knowing that Love can leave unrestricted next year. Anyone who thinks the wolves are in control are delusional, Love is control of where he wants to go..

And Golden State is the only team in the NBA interested in adding one of the 5-10 best players in the league to their line-up?

You're right in saying that the Wolves are over a bit of a barrel here. Every day (after the NBA Draft and before the trade deadline), the value they will receive for said player will decrease. But every day leading up to the NBA Draft, the value of offers from teams who wish to add Love to their line-up instead of a few dozen other teams having that same chance will increase as well. And if you think the Wolves will part with a lottery pick (albeit a late one) AND deal Love away?! You are delusional. Granted, David Kahn would do that sort of B.S., but he's gone. The damage he did to the Wolves franchise still remains...but those drafting/trading practices are no more.

The other thing nobody talks about, that actually does have some value to the Wolves...even if Love isn't traded and plays out a lame-duck 2014-15 with the team: his current contract. $15.72 million. Granted, they're not going to get a "Kevin Love" or "LeBron James" to sign in Minnesota as a free agent! But that's a lot of cash they'd have in free agency next Summer to sign another player or two to help. They're never going to be championship contending material in the West anyway...not without much better defense! But even letting Love walk after 2014-15, they get a $15.72 million "consolation prize" to play with, get younger, _________.

Nobody's in the driver's seat on this one. Not the Timberwolves. Certainly not the Golden State Warriors. And not Kevin Love (the Wolves could probably sell his contract to a Euro-league team if they wanted to, LOL). But if Golden State wants him badly enough, doesn't want him winding up in LA or Denver (or ???...either via trade or Love's own decision as a free agent next Summer), they'll do what they need to do to get him. And not including Klay Thompson, or asking for the 1.13 back? Not gonna get things done.

 

[Abraham]

How about:

Minnesota gets the 1 overall

Gs gets love and waiters

Cleveland gets lee, Martin, Thompson and Barnes.

Doesn't Cleveland make the playoffs in the easy with what was essentially the warriors 3-5 and Kyrie?

 

[BassNBrew]

Abe - Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't I owe you some cash? I posted earlier in the thread for paypal addresses but only Frosty replied.

 

[Abraham]

Abe - Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't I owe you some cash? I posted earlier in the thread for paypal addresses but only Frosty replied.

From what? The rockets? Colindowling at gmail.Oh, from the finals. Sure. Ship it.

 

[mr fancypants]

Fancypants, the point is all parties have options and some leverage here.

GSW doesn't have all the leverage because they can't sign him outright, and we don't know what the other offers.

Keeping Love for the season and hoping for the best is a realistic option.

In the NBA, "getting nothing" is not the worst thing in the world.

I really don't mean to come across as direct as I seem. But when I see comments stating that the wolves are in complete control of the Love situation sends me into histrionics. They are frantically looking for the best deal out as they should. Love is dictating where he wants to go by not signing long term where he wants to go.

 

[mcintyre1]

How about:

Minnesota gets the 1 overall

Gs gets love and waiters

Cleveland gets lee, Martin, Thompson and Barnes.

Doesn't Cleveland make the playoffs in the easy with what was essentially the warriors 3-5 and Kyrie?

I'd hate that trade for the Wolves. #1 overall isn't worth nearly that much to me.

 

[mr fancypants]

That's awful for the wolves.

My whole reasoning comes that the wolve's don't have a lot to work with. Love has already made his decision to move on from them. The Wolves are basically looking at getting the best that they can knowing that Love can leave unrestricted next year. Anyone who thinks the wolves are in control are delusional, Love is control of where he wants to go..

And Golden State is the only team in the NBA interested in adding one of the 5-10 best players in the league to their line-up?

You're right in saying that the Wolves are over a bit of a barrel here. Every day (after the NBA Draft and before the trade deadline), the value they will receive for said player will decrease. But every day leading up to the NBA Draft, the value of offers from teams who wish to add Love to their line-up instead of a few dozen other teams having that same chance will increase as well. And if you think the Wolves will part with a lottery pick (albeit a late one) AND deal Love away?! You are delusional. Granted, David Kahn would do that sort of B.S., but he's gone. The damage he did to the Wolves franchise still remains...but those drafting/trading practices are no more.

The other thing nobody talks about, that actually does have some value to the Wolves...even if Love isn't traded and plays out a lame-duck 2014-15 with the team: his current contract. $15.72 million. Granted, they're not going to get a "Kevin Love" or "LeBron James" to sign in Minnesota as a free agent! But that's a lot of cash they'd have in free agency next Summer to sign another player or two to help. They're never going to be championship contending material in the West anyway...not without much better defense! But even letting Love walk after 2014-15, they get a $15.72 million "consolation prize" to play with, get younger, _________.

Nobody's in the driver's seat on this one. Not the Timberwolves. Certainly not the Golden State Warriors. And not Kevin Love (the Wolves could probably sell his contract to a Euro-league team if they wanted to, LOL). But if Golden State wants him badly enough, doesn't want him winding up in LA or Denver (or ???...either via trade or Love's own decision as a free agent next Summer), they'll do what they need to do to get him. And not including Klay Thompson, or asking for the 1.13 back? Not gonna get things done.

Nope, but it may be the team that Love wants to go to.

 

[Celph Titled]

Getting rid of Lee's salary is not impossible, if need be.

 

[Juxtatarot]

That's awful for the wolves.

My whole reasoning comes that the wolve's don't have a lot to work with. Love has already made his decision to move on from them. The Wolves are basically looking at getting the best that they can knowing that Love can leave unrestricted next year. Anyone who thinks the wolves are in control are delusional, Love is control of where he wants to go..

And Golden State is the only team in the NBA interested in adding one of the 5-10 best players in the league to their line-up? You're right in saying that the Wolves are over a bit of a barrel here. Every day (after the NBA Draft and before the trade deadline), the value they will receive for said player will decrease. But every day leading up to the NBA Draft, the value of offers from teams who wish to add Love to their line-up instead of a few dozen other teams having that same chance will increase as well. And if you think the Wolves will part with a lottery pick (albeit a late one) AND deal Love away?! You are delusional. Granted, David Kahn would do that sort of B.S., but he's gone. The damage he did to the Wolves franchise still remains...but those drafting/trading practices are no more.

The other thing nobody talks about, that actually does have some value to the Wolves...even if Love isn't traded and plays out a lame-duck 2014-15 with the team: his current contract. $15.72 million. Granted, they're not going to get a "Kevin Love" or "LeBron James" to sign in Minnesota as a free agent! But that's a lot of cash they'd have in free agency next Summer to sign another player or two to help. They're never going to be championship contending material in the West anyway...not without much better defense! But even letting Love walk after 2014-15, they get a $15.72 million "consolation prize" to play with, get younger, _________.

Nobody's in the driver's seat on this one. Not the Timberwolves. Certainly not the Golden State Warriors. And not Kevin Love (the Wolves could probably sell his contract to a Euro-league team if they wanted to, LOL). But if Golden State wants him badly enough, doesn't want him winding up in LA or Denver (or ???...either via trade or Love's own decision as a free agent next Summer), they'll do what they need to do to get him. And not including Klay Thompson, or asking for the 1.13 back? Not gonna get things done.

Nope, but it may be the team that Love wants to go to.

It's been reported that he'd sign an extension with at least a half dozen teams.

 

[mr fancypants]

That's awful for the wolves.

My whole reasoning comes that the wolve's don't have a lot to work with. Love has already made his decision to move on from them. The Wolves are basically looking at getting the best that they can knowing that Love can leave unrestricted next year. Anyone who thinks the wolves are in control are delusional, Love is control of where he wants to go..

And Golden State is the only team in the NBA interested in adding one of the 5-10 best players in the league to their line-up? You're right in saying that the Wolves are over a bit of a barrel here. Every day (after the NBA Draft and before the trade deadline), the value they will receive for said player will decrease. But every day leading up to the NBA Draft, the value of offers from teams who wish to add Love to their line-up instead of a few dozen other teams having that same chance will increase as well. And if you think the Wolves will part with a lottery pick (albeit a late one) AND deal Love away?! You are delusional. Granted, David Kahn would do that sort of B.S., but he's gone. The damage he did to the Wolves franchise still remains...but those drafting/trading practices are no more.

The other thing nobody talks about, that actually does have some value to the Wolves...even if Love isn't traded and plays out a lame-duck 2014-15 with the team: his current contract. $15.72 million. Granted, they're not going to get a "Kevin Love" or "LeBron James" to sign in Minnesota as a free agent! But that's a lot of cash they'd have in free agency next Summer to sign another player or two to help. They're never going to be championship contending material in the West anyway...not without much better defense! But even letting Love walk after 2014-15, they get a $15.72 million "consolation prize" to play with, get younger, _________.

Nobody's in the driver's seat on this one. Not the Timberwolves. Certainly not the Golden State Warriors. And not Kevin Love (the Wolves could probably sell his contract to a Euro-league team if they wanted to, LOL). But if Golden State wants him badly enough, doesn't want him winding up in LA or Denver (or ???...either via trade or Love's own decision as a free agent next Summer), they'll do what they need to do to get him. And not including Klay Thompson, or asking for the 1.13 back? Not gonna get things done.

Nope, but it may be the team that Love wants to go to.

It's been reported that he'd sign an extension with at least a half dozen teams.

Not denying that what so ever. My thinking is that he want's to play on the west coast where he grew up and made a name for himself.

 

[Gr00vus]

L.A. Time writer is saying the Lakers might be part of a GSW/Minn deal. I guess the idea is Minn would get the Lakers' #7 pick and the Lakers get Thompson somewhere in there.

 

[Abraham]

L.A. Time writer is saying the Lakers might be part of a GSW/Minn deal. I guess the idea is Minn would get the Lakers' #7 pick and the Lakers get Thompson somewhere in there.

Scroll back a couple pages. All the jokes about jimmy investing $40 million a year in shooting guard for the next few years have already been made.

 

[Celph Titled]

If you have two swingmen that won't pass to each other, will the ball just disappear?

 

[Gr00vus]

L.A. Time writer is saying the Lakers might be part of a GSW/Minn deal. I guess the idea is Minn would get the Lakers' #7 pick and the Lakers get Thompson somewhere in there.

Scroll back a couple pages. All the jokes about jimmy investing $40 million a year in shooting guard for the next few years have already been made.

It's not a joke. If the Lakers don't feel like they have a better option at #7, they might do it.

 

[Abraham]

L.A. Time writer is saying the Lakers might be part of a GSW/Minn deal. I guess the idea is Minn would get the Lakers' #7 pick and the Lakers get Thompson somewhere in there.

Scroll back a couple pages. All the jokes about jimmy investing $40 million a year in shooting guard for the next few years have already been made.

It's not a joke. If the Lakers don't feel like they have a better option at #7, they might do it.

I'm not arguing that Thompson may well be wort the 7 pick. But allocating 50+% of your payroll to shooting guard when your team has no other talent to speak of is stupid.

 

[NutterButter]

Total fantasy, but if the Cavs trade the #1 to Min for Love and get James to opt out and sign and sign Stephenson, that would be a real nice starting 5 of Irving, Stephenson, James, Love and Varejao. Good luck fitting them all under the cap in 2015, but they'd be pretty nasty in 2014. A lot of balance with that group.

 

[BassNBrew]

Abe - Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't I owe you some cash? I posted earlier in the thread for paypal addresses but only Frosty replied.

From what? The rockets? Colindowling at gmail.Oh, from the finals. Sure. Ship it.

What was the amount?

 

[Abraham]

$10 I think?

 

[ffldrew]

I see the GS "holdup" about including Klay and a #1 for Love as just a ploy. Let's get Minn and the public to think this is actually a tough decision so Minn can swallow it.

GS just trying to act like they have a stronger hand because Minn is balking.

Let's stop acting like D. Lee is an asset. You can't give him away at his salary. Barnes not an exciting piece either. Klay and a #1 for Love is a steal for GS.

Love 25. Curry 26. You get those two and you are close. They are young you have time to develop around them. A no-brainer.

Maybe I'm looking at this wrong, but GS does have the stronger hand consider this:

1. Minn. has already made it's intentions known that Love wants out. Minn. has got to find a deal now or risk losing Love next year via FA.

2. Love has the trump card on where he decides to go. The Celtics can offer their next decade of #1 picks, but if Love tells them he has no intentions of signing an extension with them there's no way the trade happens.

3. Love is a west coast guy. He grew up in Oregon and played 1 year of college ball at UCLA. His GF is still residing in LA. Short 1 hour commuter trip.

4. GS has become a place where players are now targeting to want to go to.

The way I am looking at it is Saunders hands are tied as to where he will able to trade Love to and still receive maximum compensation. If he wants to get cute about it he risks Love staying as a rented player next year and gets egg on his face as he got nothing for him when Love leaves after becoming a FA.

If Love really wants to go to GS and they are set on having him, they have to trade for him as they are well over the cap. The Wolves might not have much leverage if he wants to go to Boston or New York or somewhere that's going to have tons of cap space, but they hold all the leverage with Golden State.

Not really,what happens if Saunders can't make a trade with any one else because Love refuses to sign on long term. if GS is his ultimate destination, the warriors can say fine we will wait out until next year and sign him as a FA without any compensation to the wolves what so ever. The way your thinking seems to imply is that since Love wants out of MInn. and that GS is on his mind the warriors have to give into the wolve's demands. I think it is just the opposite

GS won't have the cap space to sign Love as a FA. Trade talks have become this public that you would think they have Love's blessing. If Love sees GS as a viable destination GS has to jump on this. People did not take GS seriously when D. Howard was available. The GS "brand" is now changing. You'll have Curry and Love. GS will become a destination instead of an afterthought.

They could next year, read my post above. Bob Myers is showing his pedigree as being a GM. As far as being a viable destination Iguadola signed for a lesser salary last year and both Curry and Bogut signed for less than they could have gotten on the open market.. I think the GS "brand" has changed already

Didn't Iguadola sign because of Mark Jackson and his religious beliefs? What about that brand now? New coaching and what will be the style of play

 

[BassNBrew]

$10 I think?

I'll hit you up this week. Just transferred some FD funds to paypal that should arrive in a couple of days.

 

[Paulymaggs]

That's awful for the wolves.

My whole reasoning comes that the wolve's don't have a lot to work with. Love has already made his decision to move on from them. The Wolve's are basically looking at getting the best that they can knowing that Love can leave unrestricted next year. Anyone who thinks the wolves are in control are delusional, Love is control of where he wants to go..

...or take Boston's offer of Sullinger, 1st rounder this year and 1st next year.

 

[Paulymaggs]

That's awful for the wolves.

My whole reasoning comes that the wolve's don't have a lot to work with. Love has already made his decision to move on from them. The Wolves are basically looking at getting the best that they can knowing that Love can leave unrestricted next year. Anyone who thinks the wolves are in control are delusional, Love is control of where he wants to go..

And Golden State is the only team in the NBA interested in adding one of the 5-10 best players in the league to their line-up? You're right in saying that the Wolves are over a bit of a barrel here. Every day (after the NBA Draft and before the trade deadline), the value they will receive for said player will decrease. But every day leading up to the NBA Draft, the value of offers from teams who wish to add Love to their line-up instead of a few dozen other teams having that same chance will increase as well. And if you think the Wolves will part with a lottery pick (albeit a late one) AND deal Love away?! You are delusional. Granted, David Kahn would do that sort of B.S., but he's gone. The damage he did to the Wolves franchise still remains...but those drafting/trading practices are no more.

The other thing nobody talks about, that actually does have some value to the Wolves...even if Love isn't traded and plays out a lame-duck 2014-15 with the team: his current contract. $15.72 million. Granted, they're not going to get a "Kevin Love" or "LeBron James" to sign in Minnesota as a free agent! But that's a lot of cash they'd have in free agency next Summer to sign another player or two to help. They're never going to be championship contending material in the West anyway...not without much better defense! But even letting Love walk after 2014-15, they get a $15.72 million "consolation prize" to play with, get younger, _________.

Nobody's in the driver's seat on this one. Not the Timberwolves. Certainly not the Golden State Warriors. And not Kevin Love (the Wolves could probably sell his contract to a Euro-league team if they wanted to, LOL). But if Golden State wants him badly enough, doesn't want him winding up in LA or Denver (or ???...either via trade or Love's own decision as a free agent next Summer), they'll do what they need to do to get him. And not including Klay Thompson, or asking for the 1.13 back? Not gonna get things done.

Nope, but it may be the team that Love wants to go to.

It's been reported that he'd sign an extension with at least a half dozen teams.

Not denying that what so ever. My thinking is that he want's to play on the west coast where he grew up and made a name for himself.

Yeah, THAT's where I know the Legend of Kevin Love. The Mighty Oregon AAU Circuit and his one National Championship year at UCLA.

 

[Kev4029]

Knowing what we know now, lets pretend Thompson was in this draft, where would he rank? Zero doubt he would be behind the top 3. I'm not sure he's even in the Exum/Smart/group of PFs tier. He's a better shooter than Harris and a better defender than either Stauskas or McBuckets, so he would be better than them. So, I think he would probably be the 10th best prospect but end up getting picked at 9 to Charlotte.

 

[BassNBrew]

Knowing what we know now, lets pretend Thompson was in this draft, where would he rank? Zero doubt he would be behind the top 3. I'm not sure he's even in the Exum/Smart/group of PFs tier. He's a better shooter than Harris and a better defender than either Stauskas or McBuckets, so he would be better than them. So, I think he would probably be the 10th best prospect but end up getting picked at 9 to Charlotte.

Negative. Charlotte doesn't pick good players.

 

[Kev4029]

In the least surprising news of the offseason, Melo is opting out of his contract.

 

[SoBeDad]

Guess who gets Miami's unprotected 2015 first round pick, even if Lebron returns to Cleveland?

 

[Kev4029]

Guess who gets Miami's unprotected 2015 first round pick, even if Lebron returns to Cleveland?

Looks like it is protected...

2015 first round draft pick to Cleveland

Miami's 1st round pick to Cleveland protected for selections 1-10 in 2015 or 1-10 in 2016 or unprotected in 2017 [Cleveland-Miami, 7/9/2010]

 

[pollardsvision]

Knowing what we know now, lets pretend Thompson was in this draft, where would he rank? Zero doubt he would be behind the top 3. I'm not sure he's even in the Exum/Smart/group of PFs tier. He's a better shooter than Harris and a better defender than either Stauskas or McBuckets, so he would be better than them. So, I think he would probably be the 10th best prospect but end up getting picked at 9 to Charlotte.

I think he'd go 4th, before taking salary considerations are taken into account. After 3, I think we're talking about some players that carry some significant risk, if you're weighing them against a guy we know can be an effective NBA player. "After 3" if we're assuming that a big who's body is falling apart from a couple years of playing basketball is somehow a remotely safe pick.

I mean, after that, we're talking about 6'3" guy that can't shoot, a guy who's only been seen playing against Australian competition, a PF that didn't dominate the B10, a 6'9" PF that might just not be big enough for his style to translate, and a tweener F without much offensive game to speak of.

Some nice prospects, but if any of those guy didn't turn out to be good NBA players, it wouldn't be shocking.

Klay being older and about make $15 mill/year probably puts him in that 9 range you speak of.

 

[SoBeDad]

Guess who gets Miami's unprotected 2015 first round pick, even if Lebron returns to Cleveland?

Looks like it is protected...

2015 first round draft pick to Cleveland

Miami's 1st round pick to Cleveland protected for selections 1-10 in 2015 or 1-10 in 2016 or unprotected in 2017 [Cleveland-Miami, 7/9/2010]

Not as bad for Miami as I thought.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Baylor's Isaiah Austin got some bad news at his NBA Draft physical - his basketball career is over. Marfan Syndrome. Too much risk of overexertion leading to heart failure on the court.

The diagnosis does explain his body type and condition - people with Marfan typically have long arms and legs relative to torso, increased risk of detached retina (Austin is blind in his right eye).

Baylor coach Scott Drew has invited Austin to return to Baylor to finish his degree and work with the basketball program as a manager/coach-in-training.

Without the diagnosis, Austin was a reach as a first-rounder but an interesting prospect as a second-round pick - deep range on his shot for a guy his size, not a banger down low but capable of blocking shots and defending pick-and-rolls. Seems like a decent kid, too.

 

[Juxtatarot]

In the least surprising news of the offseason, Melo is opting out of his contract.

A couple of months ago, I remember giving the odds of Melo playing on different teams something like this: Knicks 96%, Bulls 2%, Lakers 1%, others 1%. Now I'll go with: Knicks 60%, Bulls 20%, Rockets 10%, Heat 5%, others 5%.Edit: How do you guys have it?

 

[Abraham]

Thompson would go 4 to a Orlando team in need of outside shooting.

 

[Abraham]

Knicks 80

Chicago 10

Houston 10

 

[matuski]

Baylor's Isaiah Austin got some bad news at his NBA Draft physical - his basketball career is over. Marfan Syndrome. Too much risk of overexertion leading to heart failure on the court.

The diagnosis does explain his body type and condition - people with Marfan typically have long arms and legs relative to torso, increased risk of detached retina (Austin is blind in his right eye).

Baylor coach Scott Drew has invited Austin to return to Baylor to finish his degree and work with the basketball program as a manager/coach-in-training.

Without the diagnosis, Austin was a reach as a first-rounder but an interesting prospect as a second-round pick - deep range on his shot for a guy his size, not a banger down low but capable of blocking shots and defending pick-and-rolls. Seems like a decent kid, too.

That is awful, good they caught it.. Marfan is no joke.

Good on Baylor for bringing him back.

 

[Kev4029]

I don't know about percentages, but I would take the field vs NYK. New York has been a disaster for Melo. He's steadily improved his game, to the point where I think he is now underrated, while the team around him has steadily gotten worse.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I don't know about percentages, but I would take the field vs NYK. New York has been a disaster for Melo. He's steadily improved his game, to the point where I think he is now underrated, while the team around him has steadily gotten worse.

Jalen Rose had a quote that stuck will me about Melo and the Phil Jackson hire. He said it gave Melo the excuse to take the most money while still saying he cares about winning.

 

[mr fancypants]

I see the GS "holdup" about including Klay and a #1 for Love as just a ploy. Let's get Minn and the public to think this is actually a tough decision so Minn can swallow it.

GS just trying to act like they have a stronger hand because Minn is balking.

Let's stop acting like D. Lee is an asset. You can't give him away at his salary. Barnes not an exciting piece either. Klay and a #1 for Love is a steal for GS.

Love 25. Curry 26. You get those two and you are close. They are young you have time to develop around them. A no-brainer.

Maybe I'm looking at this wrong, but GS does have the stronger hand consider this:

1. Minn. has already made it's intentions known that Love wants out. Minn. has got to find a deal now or risk losing Love next year via FA.

2. Love has the trump card on where he decides to go. The Celtics can offer their next decade of #1 picks, but if Love tells them he has no intentions of signing an extension with them there's no way the trade happens.

3. Love is a west coast guy. He grew up in Oregon and played 1 year of college ball at UCLA. His GF is still residing in LA. Short 1 hour commuter trip.

4. GS has become a place where players are now targeting to want to go to.

The way I am looking at it is Saunders hands are tied as to where he will able to trade Love to and still receive maximum compensation. If he wants to get cute about it he risks Love staying as a rented player next year and gets egg on his face as he got nothing for him when Love leaves after becoming a FA.

If Love really wants to go to GS and they are set on having him, they have to trade for him as they are well over the cap. The Wolves might not have much leverage if he wants to go to Boston or New York or somewhere that's going to have tons of cap space, but they hold all the leverage with Golden State.

Not really,what happens if Saunders can't make a trade with any one else because Love refuses to sign on long term. if GS is his ultimate destination, the warriors can say fine we will wait out until next year and sign him as a FA without any compensation to the wolves what so ever. The way your thinking seems to imply is that since Love wants out of MInn. and that GS is on his mind the warriors have to give into the wolve's demands. I think it is just the opposite

GS won't have the cap space to sign Love as a FA. Trade talks have become this public that you would think they have Love's blessing. If Love sees GS as a viable destination GS has to jump on this. People did not take GS seriously when D. Howard was available. The GS "brand" is now changing. You'll have Curry and Love. GS will become a destination instead of an afterthought.

They could next year, read my post above. Bob Myers is showing his pedigree as being a GM. As far as being a viable destination Iguadola signed for a lesser salary last year and both Curry and Bogut signed for less than they could have gotten on the open market.. I think the GS "brand" has changed already

Didn't Iguadola sign because of Mark Jackson and his religious beliefs? What about that brand now? New coaching and what will be the style of play

Yeesh, you have been on these boards for a while now and this is the best you can come up with?

 

[mr fancypants]

That's awful for the wolves.

My whole reasoning comes that the wolve's don't have a lot to work with. Love has already made his decision to move on from them. The Wolves are basically looking at getting the best that they can knowing that Love can leave unrestricted next year. Anyone who thinks the wolves are in control are delusional, Love is control of where he wants to go..

And Golden State is the only team in the NBA interested in adding one of the 5-10 best players in the league to their line-up? You're right in saying that the Wolves are over a bit of a barrel here. Every day (after the NBA Draft and before the trade deadline), the value they will receive for said player will decrease. But every day leading up to the NBA Draft, the value of offers from teams who wish to add Love to their line-up instead of a few dozen other teams having that same chance will increase as well. And if you think the Wolves will part with a lottery pick (albeit a late one) AND deal Love away?! You are delusional. Granted, David Kahn would do that sort of B.S., but he's gone. The damage he did to the Wolves franchise still remains...but those drafting/trading practices are no more.

The other thing nobody talks about, that actually does have some value to the Wolves...even if Love isn't traded and plays out a lame-duck 2014-15 with the team: his current contract. $15.72 million. Granted, they're not going to get a "Kevin Love" or "LeBron James" to sign in Minnesota as a free agent! But that's a lot of cash they'd have in free agency next Summer to sign another player or two to help. They're never going to be championship contending material in the West anyway...not without much better defense! But even letting Love walk after 2014-15, they get a $15.72 million "consolation prize" to play with, get younger, _________.

Nobody's in the driver's seat on this one. Not the Timberwolves. Certainly not the Golden State Warriors. And not Kevin Love (the Wolves could probably sell his contract to a Euro-league team if they wanted to, LOL). But if Golden State wants him badly enough, doesn't want him winding up in LA or Denver (or ???...either via trade or Love's own decision as a free agent next Summer), they'll do what they need to do to get him. And not including Klay Thompson, or asking for the 1.13 back? Not gonna get things done.

Nope, but it may be the team that Love wants to go to.

It's been reported that he'd sign an extension with at least a half dozen teams.

Not denying that what so ever. My thinking is that he want's to play on the west coast where he grew up and made a name for himself.

Yeah, THAT's where I know the Legend of Kevin Love. The Mighty Oregon AAU Circuit and his one National Championship year at UCLA.

Yeah, well I'm pretty surprised I've hit so many buttons by trying to look at this in a unbiased manner. I was born and raised in the midwest and moved to the bay area upon graduating from college. No way will I even consider moving back their. I just see Love holding the cards to his future and where he decides he wants to go is his decision not Minnesota's

 

[mr fancypants]

That's awful for the wolves.

My whole reasoning comes that the wolve's don't have a lot to work with. Love has already made his decision to move on from them. The Wolve's are basically looking at getting the best that they can knowing that Love can leave unrestricted next year. Anyone who thinks the wolves are in control are delusional, Love is control of where he wants to go..

...or take Boston's offer of Sullinger, 1st rounder this year and 1st next year.

For a 1 year rental of Love (kind of catchy) Saunders would be considered a genius if he can pull that off.

 

[mr fancypants]

Knowing what we know now, lets pretend Thompson was in this draft, where would he rank? Zero doubt he would be behind the top 3. I'm not sure he's even in the Exum/Smart/group of PFs tier. He's a better shooter than Harris and a better defender than either Stauskas or McBuckets, so he would be better than them. So, I think he would probably be the 10th best prospect but end up getting picked at 9 to Charlotte.

I think he'd go 4th, before taking salary considerations are taken into account. After 3, I think we're talking about some players that carry some significant risk, if you're weighing them against a guy we know can be an effective NBA player. "After 3" if we're assuming that a big who's body is falling apart from a couple years of playing basketball is somehow a remotely safe pick.

I mean, after that, we're talking about 6'3" guy that can't shoot, a guy who's only been seen playing against Australian competition, a PF that didn't dominate the B10, a 6'9" PF that might just not be big enough for his style to translate, and a tweener F without much offensive game to speak of.

Some nice prospects, but if any of those guy didn't turn out to be good NBA players, it wouldn't be shocking.

Klay being older and about make $15 mill/year probably puts him in that 9 range you speak of.

My hats off to you pollard.Interesting perspective

 

[cubd8]

Minnesota beat writer: @JerryZgoda
Probably the best chance for a Love trade by Thursday's draft is if the Bulls, with picks 16 and 19, step forth

@Chris_Broussard: Source: No way GState trading Klay Thompson to Minnesota or the Lakers.