Kevin Love is the subject of constant trade rumors stemming reports that he wants out of Minnesota and that he plans to opt out of his contract after next season. The star power forward hasn't done anything to quell those rumors, and he made little effort to do it on Wednesday when he spoke publicly for the first time since Flip Saunders hired himself as Wolves head coach.
Kevin Love sounds like a guy ready to be traded
The Timberwolves star did nothing to quell the rumors of him wanting out of Minnesota on Wednesday.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sport
In fact, Love sounded like a player just ready to move on. Love was asked about his situation in an appearance on ESPN’s SportsNation, and rather than denying he wanted out, he said his “agent is handling everything at his point.” The Wolves star went on to say that he’s just “hoping everything works out” for everybody involved. That’s not encouraging for Minnesota.
Furthermore, Love even used the word “they” when discussing the future of the Wolves in an interview with FOX Sports’ Aja Dang at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, where Love was promoting the new “Call of Duty” game:
“If they’re healthy, they can do a lot of damage. With Flip as the coach -- kinda been there, done that, in the Eastern Conference and in the Western Conference, having seen and really played all sides in the basketball world, I think he’s going to do a great job.”
That’s kind of awkward.
Love also spoke on numerous other topics, including his relationship with Saunders and some of the specific rumors.
On his relationship with Flip
Saunders didn’t exactly do himself any favors earlier in the week when he told Minnesota radio station KFAN 101.3 that Love “didn’t have a right” to be frustrated about not making the playoffs yet with Minnesota. But while it may seem that Love and Saunders may not have the best relationship, the Wolves star told Dang that’s not the case:
“What some people don’t know is that Flip and I have a great relationship, and we’ve been constantly speaking about my situation,” Love said. “Flip is going to be a tremendous coach again for the Timberwolves; he did a great job last year with our team, even throughout all the injuries and different things that we had. But that’s the way of Flip of getting people motivated, whether it’s me or people you don’t even know about. Am I happy he said those things? I think he’s supposed to come out and say that because it’s a team game, not about one singular player.”
When discussing Saunders in the SportsNation interview, Love also invoked the name of Ricky Rubio, who recently questioned Love's leadership. Love didn't seem to have an issue with the comments, saying "some of it" holds true.
On whether he’s frustrated
It’s easy to understand Love’s supposed frustrations. Consistently putting up big numbers with no postseason to show for it can wear on a player. Love told Dang that he’s not truly frustrated, but he admitted in the SportsNation interview that it “burns me and hurts my heart” that he has never been in the postseason.
Love said he doesn’t have a wish list of teams, but he reiterated that he wants to play for a winner:
“I don’t really have a wish list, I just want to win, wherever that may be,” Love said. “One of the 30 teams; (I) want to play for a great coach, great teammates ... it’s not about just one player. It’s not about myself, it’s about a whole team.”
Teams like the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors could be attractive destinations for Love, as could the Houston Rockets. However, Sam Amick of USA TODAY reports the Rockets don't feel good about their chances of acquiring Love because of a lack of assets.
On Knicks rumors
One of Love’s rumored desired landings spots is the New York Knicks. The Knicks don’t have the proper assets to pull off a trade, but they could have cap space to sign Love if he hits the open market in the summer of 2015.
Love mentioned Phil Jackson as a major reason why he wouldn't mind ending up in New York:
“I think any time you have Phil Jackson involved in any organization, you’re going to definitely look at it and it’s definitely intriguing,” Love said. “The Knicks are definitely a place where anybody would like to go.”
Even if Love doesn’t wind up in New York, those comments are refreshing for the Knicks and their fans. To hear stars talk about wanting to play there because of Jackson is what the organization was going for when the team hired him. Now Jackson just has to get those stars to show up.
On Cavaliers rumors
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the No. 1 pick in the draft, and the Cavs could potentially use that as the centerpiece of a possible Love trade. ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan reported the Cavs had interest in Love, but “the feeling wasn’t mutual.”
The Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre asked Love about that report and rumors in general, and although Love said he tries not to pay attention to most of it, he didn’t dismiss the Cavs rumors as “outlandish.”
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